How Long is it Until Naptime?

Preservation — to keep alive or in existence; make lasting; to keep safe from harm or injury; protect

All of us have an innate desire to do everything we can to make this life last as long as we can. While we know this life doesn’t hold a candle to what awaits us on the other side in heaven, we, instinctively, want to hang around on this side a little longer, so we try to eat healthy, stay active and think positively.

Along with the weeks of traveling back and forth to Tulsa, with little sleep because of the many hours spent on getting Mom moved and her estate sale completed, I’ve been needing naps when I drive there and even after I’ve made it back home to catch up on the sleep I lost. In fact, on the way home recently, I had to stop at a Walmart parking lot in Atoka, OK to shut my eyes just a few minutes. When I finally made it home, I didn’t even unpack my car. I headed to my bed and took a 3-hour nap.

Fortunately, this season of my life affords me the opportunity to take a little nap every now and then. I remember looking forward to Sunday afternoons when my husband and I would have a sweet nap. That was our only naptime because of our busy work schedules, family and home responsibilities. I’m quite sure God was pleased with our Sunday routine, because, after all, Genesis 2:2-4 says “And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made.” He set the example for us.

With busy, full active days of meeting my young children’s needs, oh how well I remember so wanting to take a nap when they did. I loved looking forward to their naptime so I could doze a little myself. I’d tickle their eyes and faces until they’d drop off to sleep….and so would I. As Moms of young children, no doubt, you, too, may long for a little down time to just have a few minutes of R&R. I think naptime might have been what the Psalmist David meant in Psalm 23 “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He restores my soul.” How often do busy Moms and Dads put everything and everyone else ahead of their own preservation?

Here’s what I know. It’s okay to have a little time when we can just BE. After all, we were created by God to be human BEINGS, not human DOINGS. I know that many of my younger friends dream of days like this. I was you in my busy working days, wife and little children days — and now I am here, in these days. You’ll be here one day and I urge you to savor these times, because tomorrow can be amped up, full-on, all-out exhaustive days. In between all the hustle and bustle, for our own good and our preservation – we MUST find time to refuel and get ready for firing up for the next call-of-duty.

There are many things to be concerned about in our lives, our family’s lives, our city, country and world. How can we REST when there’s so much to do for God? After all, we are His hands and feet extended. After all, if we don’t go, who will? After all, if we don’t take care about this and that, who will take care of it for us? Then, loud and clear comes Isaiah 30:15: “For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel says: in returning and rest shall you be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength….”

Little pull over to the REST AREAS of our lives can PRESERVE our lives for the long run. I’ve been at this journey of faith long enough to be convinced that in quietness and confidence in God’s faithfulness, we will be renewed and strengthened daily. Maybe it’s time for a little POWER nap – and tap into our POWER SOURCE Who brings us peace and rest – even if it’s only for 10 minutes at a time.