It’s Okay to Ask for Rest
by Sharon D. Ware
“And He said to them, ‘Come aside by yourself to a deserted place and rest a while.’ For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat” (Mark 6:31 OSB).
When we are so busy that we don’t even have time to eat, it might be that we are just too busy. Our society rewards working long hours until exhaustion. Yet, our God felt it necessary to rest on the seventh day after creating the heavens and the earth. (See Genesis 2:1-3.)
As a caregiver, you might feel that there is so much to do that there is no time to rest. You could feel as if you must continue with the task at hand or it will not get done. This is not unusual to feel this way. However, the Lord Jesus lets us know that we must not labor continually without proper rest. This is not His will for our life. Taking a physical as well as mental break can be refreshing. It allows us to reset, restore and regenerate.
When I was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer, my daughter was my caregiver. She did everything possible to assure I made my appointments, received good nourishment, had clean clothing, and that my journey through cancer would be as positive as possible, given the circumstances. And, for the most part my needs were met. Yet, I could see that my daughter was becoming exhausted. We needed help. I sought God for help and was directed to ask those around us for help: family, friends, my church, my community group, and even social service agencies. We identified things that could be delegated such as picking up prescriptions, washing and folding clothes, preparing meals, and cleaning the house. We decided to spread out the responsibilities over many people so that no one person felt overwhelmed. A church member dropping off prepared meals once a week was not too much to ask. There are actually websites and applications that will help you stay organized.
The Lord requests that we come to Him—anyone who is bogged down with the task at hand. He promises to give us rest. He guarantees we will find rest for our souls if only we will ask. (See Matthew 11:28.) What may be challenging for us, however, is that God often works through humans. It can feel risky to reach out for help from others, particularly if we have always been independent. We are called to put aside our pride and the fear we will be rejected; it is a bold but necessary step.
Pray: Lord, help me to discern my need for rest and for those who can help as I seek Your rest. Give me peaceful and undisturbed sleep; send me your guardian angel to protect and keep me from every evil. Lord, grant Your servant rest that I may awaken refreshed. Amen.
Your Turn: Asking the Lord Jesus for rest can result in relinquishing some of our work to others. Think about how you can reach out to others for help. What task can you let go? What can be put off until a later date?
Sharon D. Ware, Cancer Survivor
Sharon is an Eastern Orthodox Christian. She retired in 2015 from nursing when she was diagnosed with metastatic ovarian cancer and given a few months to live. Her life was turned upside down. She underwent chemotherapy and multiple surgeries. Cancer Companions along with her faith in the Lord allowed her to cope with her new normal. Sharon is still receiving chemotherapy seven years later and believes her ultimate victory is trusting in God.