rest...

Having a migraine really throws me off.  I shut down.  I get cranky, don’t want to be around anyone and just need to sleep it off usually.  The problems with this, is that they hit often and usually when I am out doing something.  They hit when my youngest decides she has to poo in her diaper and only the women’s room has a changer.  They hit when I am in the middle of a movie where my kids are being completely ridiculous.  They hit on days that I have a lot to do.  They also hit on days that I have nothing to do but watch my kids.  Fortunately, I have a husband who helps me through them if he can. 

Yesterday we attempted to take our almost 2 year old and our 3 year old to the movies.  We had taken the 3 year old to another movie before and she had done fine, but this was our 2 year olds first movie.  Well…  the previews were alright, but then the novelty of the movie theater wore off and if you ask me, there is no way that I could tell you what the movie was about at all!  I took the 3 year old to the bathroom 3 times IN A ROW- and then ended up taking the little one into the hallway.  I didn’t even get to see ½ of it.  I really didn’t want to be one of “those” moms that let their kids terrorize somewhere or some place for their own pleasure.  (I didn’t know that my 3 year old was being terrible after I had left…)  Let me tell you though, by the end of the movie, my headache had gone from a normal dull throb to an all out- I am going to have to run into the bathroom and throw up – headache which escalated to the migraine status really fast. 

Although I can’t think of one story in the Bible that shows Jesus getting sick, I am sure that he had his share of headaches too.  He never got any rest.  One time, he tried to take a nap on a boat and was woken up by a storm and the yelling from his disciples, and back to work he went.  The only time that he got rest was when he went off by himself and prayed.  The times that he got rest were times that he asked for it.  Times that he excused himself from the situation at hand and made sure he had time with God and time for himself. 

I really think that it is important for us to have some time for ourselves.  With kids, work, marriages, work, kids, house work, families…  whatever you have occupying the majority of your time.  It is important for us to rest.  Matthew 11:28-30 says
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Jeremiah 31:25 says” I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”

For our physical health, we need to ensure that we are taking breaks from life and refreshing ourselves.  For our mental and spiritual health (which directly effects our physical health) we need to ensure that we are going to God and allowing him to give us rest- to satisfy us and refresh us.