Is it Naptime Yet?

Most everyone that reads my blog will notice that I am an early riser. I have a built-in alarm clock that awakens me around 4 am. I use that early morning time to go over my blog one more time before I post it before 6 am.

My promise to God was to post my blogs early so that those early risers might read it and, if they take the message to heart, it might kick start their day in a good and positive mood!

Rising that early, I often need a nap (or two) during my day to make up for the little sleep I get during the night. I wear an Oura ring that lets me know if I’m not getting enough sleep. It will record my naps also and let me know my sleep efficiency.

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 and He rested on the seventh day from all His work.” He set the example for us.

With busy, full active days of meeting my young children’s needs, I remember 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.

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.”

We were created by God to be human BEINGS, not human DOINGS. Aw – getting to just BE! I know that many of my younger friends dream of days like mine when they can “cease and desist” from the busyness – even if it is for just a few minutes. I was you in my busy working days, wife-and-little-children days. I’ll admit these days of mine are mighty sweet! You’ll get here before you know it!

But, I urge you to savor the times of a little rest. Tomorrow can be another amped up, full-on, all-out exhaustive day. 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.

But, how can we REST when there’s so much to do? 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….’”

The little pull-overs 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.