Monday, April 26, 2010

The Three R's: Relax...Renew...Refresh

How many times must I hear something before it finally sinks in? I have had the same thing told to me several times lately by different people in my life. Every time I would hear this same statement, I would agree with the advice, but then go about my days and change nothing. It was only fitting that I again received this message last week from an unexpected source. This time was through a fortune cookie following lunch at my favorite Chinese buffet restaurant. I had been able to have lunch with a friend after weeks (OK, truth be told, it was months) of us saying that "we really must get together for lunch." We both work very demanding jobs and juggling schedules where we both have lunch at the same time has proven to be difficult. Due to work related duties, we found ourselves in the same office building when lunchtime rolled around. It worked out perfectly for us to finally fit in that lunch we had been planning on for months (OK, truth be told, it was almost a full year of planning). It ended up being a relaxing time of much needed fellowship--something that I find too little of in my life. I have a hard time making time for the fun things in life--I let the responsibilities of work and school sap me and then fail to schedule time to restore my mind, body, and spirit. I learned that day at lunch (actually before I opened the fortune cookie) that I need to find the time to regroup and restore. I returned to work that afternoon and faced the same challenges and situations, but I had a renewed spirit and was able to attack those challenges and situations with a fresh perspective. God created us for a need for renewal and refreshment. God Himself took a day of rest after He finished His creation. We, as being created in His image, have this same need for rest. May we all take time to renew and refresh in mind, body, and spirit so that we may be effective wherever God has placed us and with the tasks He has ultimately entrusted to us. Oh yeah, you may be wondering about the words that were imprinted on that "fortune" cookie. I believe that cookie was divinely selected just for me. It read, "One is most productive by finding a balance between the professional life and the personal life."

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." --Matthew 11:28