Naively, I had assumed my five-day vacation would repair four months of overworking. I jetted off to California for relaxation with my dear little sister, supposing I’d return all in one piece again. I now laugh at my assumption. Silly me. I won’t bore the reader by listing all the accomplishments of those four months, but I headed off at the end of myself, taken to weeping, emotionally and physically drained.
My ancestors bravely ventured into unexplored territory and hacked out an existence on virgin sod. Through their pioneering example, I tend to work compulsively. As a writer, I am self employed, my own taskmaster. With a home office, I can easily put in hours that kill the body and drain the soul. I can’t turn my brain off when I’m inspired. Added together, those facts create a recipe for collapse.
What to do?
Standing under God’s sun observing his creation patches me up. Hiking among redwoods and sitting by the ocean reinforced what I’ve long known. I feel as close to the Lord when gazing at his revelation of himself in nature as I do while bent over his Word. Granted, his natural revelation isn’t as precise as his written Word; but it illustrates his brilliance, his scientific-ecological bent, his love for humanity, and his exquisite artistry. As an artist myself, his creation soothes my soul. It inspires me
In addition, I realized I had some lessons to learn:
After strenuous labor, resting and rejoicing are sanctioned by God. Using sunrise and sunset, Jesus created boundaries. When the sun set, work ended, and rest time began. Electricity has skewed that, so we must recall it. Additionally, although God needs no rest, he took a day to rest and to rejoice in his creation, declaring it very good, thus giving us permission to do the same. Later, he instructed mankind to rest in like fashion. We create and then we rest and rejoice, giving thanks to God for the work and the accomplished task. Resting and rejoicing heal the soul and the body.
Separate yourself from your work. When you work at home, there is no physical boundary between work and rest. Likewise, the computer and cell phone now bring work home. We could work twenty-four hours a day, if our bodies would allow it, and we’d still never get it all done. This is dangerous for a compulsive worker like me. I can surge, surge, and surge again. But if I don’t stop to rest, I will destroy my health and reduce my productivity. For me, I must shut the office door, disengage, and walk away.
Learn to say no. About half way through my vacation, I realized I was finally truly relaxed. Assuming I’d immediately relax and would then sort through the circumstances that had resulted in my total depletion, I was dismayed. I wasn’t going to achieve all the relaxation and contemplation I had planned for the vacation. See a pattern here. Even my vacation was meant to accomplish something! I wanted to return home rested and with a plan of action. Instead, I still needed time for recovery.
Part of the problem was that I had allowed “small” requests to suffocate me, distracting me from God’s purpose for my work. I cannot save the entire world singlehandedly; yet I’m tempted to take every project that might help achieve that end, even if I’m already overcommitted. Upon returning, I discovered this valuable resource for learning to say no. Thank you, Jesus! If you have this problem, listen to Michael Hyatt’s advice.
Take care of your body. Since I had several bad accidents last year, I have a regimen of exercises and stretches I must complete to function properly. I had been shortchanging myself, barely hitting the minimum as I struggled to reach the final deadlines. On vacation, I did the whole spectrum and felt better. I now know I can’t skimp. If I want my body to work for me, I have to take care of it.
Listen to others. Now that I’m home, I’m still in recovery mode, attempting to listen to Jesus’ instructions about rest and work. I also intend to rely on the opinion and objective view of people I love and trust. These loved ones urge me to rest when they see I need it. I will listen. Having garnered this insight into my workaholic self, I hope, by God’s grace, to stay in balance.
Do you struggle with this? What have you learned?
Relaxing is good. You are right on and I will help you through.
What would I do without you!
Yes! These are the lessons I also had to learn at about your age! 😀 When I had my first cancer, I was set up to do 9 preps for teaching that year (that means 9 classes during 6 class periods), and I did it, but my body paid! By the next year I had finally learned my lesson! I had to say “No!” to that kind of workload. I had to leave my work at school, managing the grading and prep before and after school, but going home without it except on rare occasions.
I had wonderful “hammock time” with the Lord on the farm. When you are in a hammock, you learn to let go and let the hammock hold you. That is why I love to pray in a hammock. You have to let go and let God hold you up; totally dependent on Him! That’s just where He wants us.
I’ve been thinking about the fact that I’m the same age you were when you had your first cancer. You handled it so bravely, and you learned the lessons. I’m proud of you, dear mother.
You know that it was by the mercy and grace of God. Saying to Him, ‘I would that this cup would pass from me, but, nevertheless, not my will but yours” was the best thing I ever did! I had complete peace from then on. He IS good!
I can hardly believe that you are that age now! Where have all the years gone?
That’s so often the prayer, isn’t it? Many times in life it comes down to yieldedness to The Lord.
I’m visiting from Multitudes on Monday. I really enjoyed your post. It’s so easy to forget how important rest is. It helps us to work better in the long run! We have to remember to take care of ourselves, so we can be there for others too.
Blessings~
Shari
So true, Shari. This is my task: To remember this. My California sister told me to read this post every day until the lessons learned soak in. 🙂
Maybe I can be a good influence on you. My cancer taught me to stop & SEE God everywhere & sit with Him in the mornings in my cozy corner of our bedroom.
You are one of the trusted friends who sees the big picture when I get buried in the work. I have to take that time in God’s Word first thing in the morning or everything falls apart, so that’s already in place. I need Jesus’ perspective every day. But saying yes to tasks outside my calling often buries me. Even though I’m getting better at saying no, I need to grow in my discerning skills. Also, I need to shut the office door and allow myself to rest. Even though I’m back, I’m still recovering.
Thank you so much, Melinda! I needed (and still need) to apply this!!! At my age, I should be able to say I’ve learned this lesson. Yet, I still needed this reminder! I definitely think that pride is one of the enemies that causes me to think I can be “Super Woman” and be all things to all people at all times! So, spiritual warfare needs to be involved.
Yes, spending time with Jesus is an essential! I gladly give up sleep to arise early enough to spend time with my precious Savior, Lord, Redeemer, Comforter, Counselor, Friend, and soon-coming King each morning before responsibilities begin. HOWEVER, to get enough sleep I must be disciplined enough to get to bed on time, too. That’s another problem in my life.
Anyway, I’m growing! Thank you for this Spirit-led blog, Melinda!
Love,
Aunt Jackie
Well, there’s the evidence that this will be a lifelong lesson. Both my mom and my auntie are still learning. I will, therefore, try not to be too hard on myself. Sounds like this calls for patience and listening to the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit.