Embrace the pause of life

For as long as I can remember, Sundays were spent in church with fellow believers. After services, going out for lunch or some other type of interest was nothing. Whether it be a Sunday afternoon drive, a picnic, or hiking the local trails, Sunday was filled with family activities. I am not sure when this weekly routine changed, but it has. Today, my Sunday after-services activity consists of two things: lunch from a gas station deli and a good afternoon nap.
I never thought I would be the person who enjoyed sleeping an afternoon away. However, the time has finally arrived. In the innocence of childhood, naps were a normal part of life. We all remember the early school days when we spread our brightly colored mats on the floor and napped while the teacher looked over our morning work. Some days, sleep came easy; other days, rest seemed like an interruption to endless possibilities on the playground. In hindsight, I now see where these moments on plastic mats or beach towels were an opportunity to refresh our young minds and bodies.
As we age, kindergarten and first-grade nap time are replaced with academic requirements. Ultimately, graduation caps and gowns signal the onset of adulthood and a busy life. The practice of midday rest becomes a relic of the past. Excessive responsibilities leave little room for true relaxation. We pride ourselves on the hustle and bustle of life, usually sacrificing the need or desire for rest. Burning the midnight oil becomes the new mandate as we struggle to get ahead.
We often forget the most significant moments are found in the stillness of a moment. Stillness: the moment when the world slows down, and everything falls into place – a quiet afternoon spent with family, surrounded by the beauty of nature, and the sense of peace that comes from simply being present. It’s a time when there’s no rush, no agenda, only the stillness. In these moments, there’s a connection to something greater than self, the presence of nature, the love of family, or the whispers of faith. The mind, body, and spirit find rest in this stillness.
Rest rejuvenates us in ways words can’t fully express. Rest reminds us of the importance of slowing down to refresh our hearts and find clarity. In the creation story, God worked diligently for six days. At the end of each day, He was delighted as creation unfolded before Him. When everything was completed, God rested on the seventh day. The Lord blessed this day, and in Exodus 20:8-11, we are instructed to keep the Sabbath day holy by refraining from work.
In a world that frequently celebrates busyness, it’s easy to overlook the restorative power of rest. Rest is not the absence of activity; it is an invitation to reconnect with what truly matters. Our Heavenly Father took a moment to rest after His work. Jesus extends the invitation to let go of the world’s burdens and to find rest in the humbleness of His spirit. So, whether you embrace a Sunday nap or a Saturday stroll, do so in the fullness of God and be still in Him. There is much to be said about those first-grade naps and embracing the pause in our busy world.
Matthew 11:28-30 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.

Cheryl Mixon-Cruce is Pastor of Ochlockonee Bay United Methodist Church and Sopchoppy United Methodist Church.