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Mark 6:31 (Jesus)*said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a little while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)

As a person who is entirely too prone to allow my life to be defined by busy-ness, I take a great deal of comfort in the verse this verse. Jesus apparently has to remind the disciples that they need to “rest a little while.” Not only am I frequently wrapped up in busy-ness, but I frequently have difficulty getting the sleep and rest that my body needs.

Our bodies are not designed for only one thing. Instead, we need a variety of things for health, well-being, and wholeness. Things like activity, food for fuel, mental pursuits, and rest. Too much – or too little – of any of these generally means that something is out of balance and is not the best condition for our overall well-being.

Like so many things in my life, I have good intentions about making changes that will be more beneficial for me. I want to wind down and put my mind at rest earlier in the evening. I plan to get to bed earlier. But it’s not as easy as it seems. There always seems to be some new urgency that comes up so that making the necessary changes are put off for another night.

It wasn’t always this way. When I was a little girl, I looked forward to sleep. If my Mom had washed my sheets, that was accentuated and I still love the feeling of clean sheets. I also liked to be under the weight of the quilts my grandmother and great-grandmother had made. In these days I have discovered weighted blankets.

These verses remind me of going to bed when I was a little girl because I sang myself to sleep by singing to Jesus. In the midst of turmoils that little girls shouldn’t have to experience, I felt near to Him as I sang to Him and He helped me – as He still does though I seldom sing to Him at night anymore.

Psalm 63:6-7 On my bed I remember You. I think of You through the hours of the night. For You have been my help. And I sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings.

Writing this reflection is a form of repentance, a way of turning my direction to a new way, a better way, the way that God has designed for our bodies to be renewed and refreshed and move into a new day that God has created for us to live for Him.

Precious Jesus, You know how the memories of singing to You at night when I was a little girl brought me comfort and joy. Sometimes the songs were mingled with tears, but I always felt You near to me as I drifted off to sleep and I am so grateful. It wouldn’t be practical to do that now. Nevertheless, I ask You to grant me that same sweet sleep accompanied by the nearness of Your presence – and not for me alone, but for all who may read this reflection and need it, too, give us all the rest we need and that You have promised as we turn to You. In Your blessed name I pray, Amen.

Proverbs 3:24 You will not be afraid when you lie down. When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.