Matthew 11:28,  “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

While this can be such a fun and exciting time of year it can also be exhausting.  The kids are on break and there are always last-minute things to do and the cooking and baking and preparing for either travel or maybe relatives coming and sometimes you can feel like you need a vacation after it is all said and done!  It can also be a difficult time for those who will be spending their first Christmas without a loved one who has passed.  Make sure to take some time for you to just be still and allow Him to help you rest in Him.

Jesus was all about making sure that there were times to get away from all of the hustle and bustle and have quiet time and time to rest.  God the Father is also very adamant about taking time for rest that is why He gave the command to take one day a week and rest, it’s for you.  God set that time because He knows that our bodies and minds need that time to just relax from everything that taxes us physically, mentally, and emotionally.  So, Jesus is inviting you to make sure you take time for yourself during this busy time.  Take the time to have fun, to laugh, to enjoy the people you love, and to just relax.  This is a great time to pull out some board games and play them as a family.  I remember one year when my parents were still here and we were all home for Christmas and we (their adult children) decided to play this game called “Spoons” at the dining room table.  I don’t remember all of the rules but there were spoons in the middle of the table and it was somewhat like musical chairs in the sense that at a point in the game, everyone had to grab a spoon and if you didn’t get one you were out.  Well… at one point when we were all grabbing for spoons one shot off the table and almost hit the glass on Mom’s china cabinet!  All of a sudden we all reverted back to being children when Mom walked in to see what was going on and then we all cracked up laughing.  It’s those times and memories that last a lifetime though.  God wants you to have fun and enjoy life and family.  

If you are struggling this year make sure you give yourself some grace and don’t push yourself beyond what really needs to be done.  Ask God for His guidance and peace.  He loves you and He is saying you can rest in Him.  If you have lost someone dear to you take some time, if you are up to it, and share some of your favorite memories.

So, while you are hustling to get things done, don’t forget to take time to rest and relax.  Too often everyone gets so caught up in the hustle that they miss the enjoyment of the time together and once the holidays are passed it’s all just a blur.  Don’t let that happen to you this year, make sure you get some time alone with Him and time with your loved ones!