Days of Daze

Some days put us in a daze.
Recently, while chatting with my daughter, I was reminded of just how some of our days can sometimes leave dazed. The busyness of her day-to-day routine. As a wife, mother of two very busy boys, part-time caretaker of her aging father and working full time, deep breaths and counting to ten are a must. There are chickens and the family dogs to tend. Then, there is the house work, which looms in the background like a childhood nightmare. Her days are all consuming and at times put her in a combination of auto pilot, head spins and a semi state of delirium. ​

​Our little chat reminded me of a children’s book, Mrs. Bunny’s Day Off by Teddy Gautier, Illustrated by Katy Brautun, ©1988 Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. In this storybook, there are several baby bunnies (​rabbits) or kits as they are called. Needless to say all of Mrs. Bunny’s cute, rambunctious bunnies are a busy handful.

Sketch via Vi Gene

Many Mommas today feel the same, like we need semi-permanent, retractable, dog harnesses attached to each child so they do not wander too far and are within reach and protection. There is so much to do that mommas and daddies have little or no time for themselves to really rest and relax. In years past, the extensive at-home-family units were a huge help. Today the at-home family network rarely exist since families spread their wings and scatter to all areas of the country or even the globe.

We all need a day off, sometimes more, for our mental, physical and spiritual health. Relaxing, slowing down, taking a walk, figuratively or literally - either will work, are very important to our well-being. We need to rest.

Rest, defined: 
Verb 1) to cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength; 2) to be placed or supported so as to stay in a specified position. Noun an instance or period of relaxing or ceasing to engage in strenuous or stressful activity; Music an interval of silence of [instruments or voice] for a specified duration.
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Grab a cuppa tea or a mug of coffee. Stay with me for a bit…

Wondering, do we have it all wrong? Let’s take a look. 

We find and learn in Genesis that God created our atmosphere, earth, creatures and all living things in six days. Then, God rested on the seventh. Rest has a deeper meaning in the original Hebrew. Actually, the word is shabbat which I believe translates to stop. Like to stop working or stop doing work; a state of rest. 

Personally, I prefer the Music definition of a rest: an interval of silence [of instruments or of voice] for a specified duration. 

Further, the shabbat for God’s people was from sundown of the sixth day to sundown of the seventh day, a full day of rest. Do we do that? 

What if... 
...we rested in the Lord as he fully intended? 
Genesis 2:3
So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because of it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. 

What if...
...we keep God at the forefront of everything? 
1 Thessalonians 5:16-20 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
What if...
...we seek “the promise of entering His rest” as we are told in Hebrews 3:7 - 4:13?

Since we are chasing bunnies...

What if...
...we worshipped and praised God while we worked?

Can we worship while we work? Yes. Yes, we can. Not to make fun or ridicule worship in any way; but, just do it. Like, “whistling while we work.” Be happy with where we are. Be happy with doing what we do. Be happy to be and do as if we are doing it for Jesus. 

Colossians 3:23-24: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Every minute. Every hour. Every day.  What if…?​

Image via Vi Gene

Back to Mrs. Bunny:
Naturally, when Mrs. Bunny has a day of relaxation to herself, the little bunnies get into all sorts of mischief and trouble attempting to do things while she is gone. As the story moves through the day, things turn into a mess and the mess gets messier. The bunnies are overwhelmed with the problems and messes. They really do not want Momma Bunny to find home so topsy-turvy.

Then, it is time for Mrs. Bunny to be on her way home. Having a day to relax does not sound like it is going to be worth it. Familiar? Well, the bunnies work out a plan. A few of the younger bunnies are sent to keep Mrs. Bunny outside. The older bunnies hop into action, work together and manage to get everything in order and tidy. ​

​Grab that cuppa tea or a cuppa coffee and take time to be with God and rest!

ta ta for now
Vi Gene

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