The 12 Days of Christmas - Day 8

I am not the Energizer Bunny

Exodus 34:21

Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest.

Beep, beep, beep. Beep, beep, beep, “What is that confounded noise?“ I griped to myself. The irritating noise had been going on for several minutes. Aha! A light bulb finally went off. It was my cell phone demanding my attention. I dug around in my purse and found it. There was no juice in the battery, and it was on the brink of giving out. I had been so busy I forgot to recharge it.

It dawned on me that I am the same. Lately, it seems my world spins faster and faster. There is more I want to achieve and less time to devote to all I want to do. I can hold on pretty well for awhile. But, I ignore the signals my mind and body start sending. I think I can hold out just a little longer. Eventually, my concentration wanes, my temper is short, and BEEP, BEEP, BEEP! I am on the brink of giving out.

When I run myself down without taking time to rest and recharge my own battery, I’m not nearly as efficient or kind as I want to be. At these times, I annoy myself, and irritate everyone around me.

This season, let us remember that rest is important. In fact, rest is so vital that God set aside a whole day for it every week. During the holidays we all stay busy. There is so much to do between the decorating, baking, parties, special events, shopping, visiting and traveling it is very easy to get run down.

Our wisdom for this eighth day of Christmas is to be sure to take the time to get plenty of rest. To paraphrase the scripture above; even during the holiday season and Advent you must rest.