Resisting Rest
Preschoolers are a study in contrasts. They are full of energy and want to talk to their friends, stay completely engaged in everything that’s going on, and overhear every possible conversation. But their bodies need to recharge. These two opposite “needs” make naptime an interesting part of the day in a preschool classroom.
You have the students who immediately give in to the need for rest and will pass out for two full hours if you let them. You have the students who will resist it until you sit beside them and rest a hand on their back. Your stillness reassures them that they can be still, and they drift right off to sleep. Others just need to hold eye contact with you. Their blinks grow slower and slower until, after a bit of time, they blink their eyes closed and just stay that way. Some kiddos will rock and roll on their cot until they hit the “just right” position and then conk out.
And then there are those who fight it tooth and nail. Maybe they’re actually not tired. But it’s more likely they are experiencing something they can’t quite express. They ate too fast at lunch, and they’re feeling a little gassy. They are obsessing over the tower they built with blocks this morning and want to be able to tell mom and dad about it later today, but they’re afraid they’ll forget about it if they fall asleep. Or the world feels too big and out of control. In any given moment, their body is the only thing they can control. And sleep means letting go of that control.
And so, during naptime, I make my way around the classroom. Resting a hand, covering toes, taking away a stuffy that became a distraction...and eventually, I find myself seated by that last kiddo. The one who is fighting. Fighting away the weariness. Fighting to stay in control.
I wonder how often we do that, too. We fight away weariness and rest because we need to be in control of some aspect of our life. God has assured us — over and over and over again — that He is in control. And yet, we can’t let go of control. We can’t allow ourselves to rest. We work ourselves into a tizzy day after day, so we can hold on to that control. We cling to it so tightly that nothing else seems to matter. We. Are. Exhausted.
If you’re questioning whether or not you’re actually allowed to rest, I’d like to point out that the Bible offers us several examples of rest:
God rested after he finished creating (Genesis 2) (He did this to set an example for us, God in His nature is never tired.)
Elijah ran off into the woods, sat under a tree and took a nap...while his life was in jeopardy (1 Kings 19)
Jesus rested during a storm while he was out on a boat (Matthew 8)
Resting on the Sabbath is a pretty important thing to remember (Exodus 20)
You might look at those examples and think, “But that’s nothing like what I’m experiencing right now. I have XYZ happening in my life...I can’t rest!” So I’ll point you to the Psalms now. The life of David connects with all of us somewhere along the way. Being prophesied over, killing a giant, struggling to fit in, having his life threatened, sinning against God and against man, leading battles, becoming a king, sinning some more...so in the Psalms, we can find something that assures us we are worthy of rest.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
For his name’s sake.” -Psalm 23:1-3
Yes — worthy. Just like my preschool friend, you deserve to rest. It might be a battle for you. Some days it might be easier than others. But whoever you are and whatever you’re carrying, God will take it. He will let you rest and keep watch while you do!
“When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Have no fear of sudden disaster
Or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
For the Lord will be at your side
And will keep your feet from being snared.” -Proverbs 3:24-26
For you, rest might look like taking a day off of work. Spending an hour reading your Bible rather than doing homework. Talking to a friend about your worries and fears. Laying on your bedroom floor and listening to worship music. Hiking a favorite trail. Baking cookies for friends. Whatever it is, find the time and the space to allow yourself to rest. Wake up restored and ready for the next adventure.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mary Elizabeth spent the past six years doing life in Nashville, TN…from grad school to working in a pie shop to running after-school programs. But then she got a little antsy. She’s currently in a season of “wandering”…exploring the people, tastes and experiences that the country has to offer. As she set out on this journey her hope was to engage with people in more authentic ways and to hike everything possible.