If you catch me dreaming...

If you catch me dreaming

Please don't wake me till I'm done

Just leave me sleeping

Until the morning comes

Just pass me over

Make believe that I'm not there

Just leave me be

Until the Savior comes

[Song: "Pass Me Over" by Anthony Hamilton]

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Last week I wrote a post about how we often postpone our desire to rest and relax when we really just need to sit down somewhere!

Later that week in response to my post, I had a conversation with a woman about how hard it has been for her and her husband to take time to rest. One of their goals is to pay off a large debt, so they gave up vacation days, and time off in order to pay off the debt.

My immediate response to her was that they consider prioritizing enjoying their time with one another and stop unnecessarily storing up. I asked a couple of questions:

• Are you consistently paying off the debt?

• Will it make a huge dent in your debt if you forgo your days off?

• Is God a provider or not?

I think if I asked most people why they worked so hard, debt would be their primary reason. As the song goes, 'Cash Rules Everything Around Me' C.R.E.A.M. [shout out to the Wu-Tang Clan👐🏾].

The thing is, whether in debt or not, folk are in the habit of grinding; they don't feel comfortable if they are not working hard and long. Most people eventually grind themselves into a state of dis-ease. Today your debt is the reason, however, the minute after the debt is paid, it will be something else. The grind mentality doesn't stop. It takes no prisoners and grants no exceptions.

In this instance, If money is the reason you are sacrificing your time, remember, you ARE paying your debt off, it's just not being paid as fast as you decided you want to.

The true value is your time, it's priceless and you can't get back. Don't let money be the main character, you are! Let's reframe this as a both/and situation.

Try saying this:

• I'm going to pay off my debt AND go to dinner with my mate.

• I'm going to pay my debt AND take my vacation.

• I'm going to pay my debt AND take my kids for a drive to get ice cream.

• I'm going to pay my debt AND rest, not to be more productive, but because I want to.

Every time a loved one transitions, we shake our heads and say we have to enjoy our lives while we're here, but by the next day or week, we're back to ignoring ourselves and the people around us. You have the power; you get to choose the way you shall live or die. Choose life, the scripture says, so that you and your descendants may live. If you walk back up the passage it talks about you also have the choice to serve and worship other gods...", however, this leads to a path of destruction. What are other gods [s] are you serving: your bills, your job, money, etc.?

I posted this question to followers of the faith: Why is it so easy to ignore the command to rest? We have become so invested in what the real housewives or celebrities are doing, and who wore what best at the Met Gala, etc., but won't even glance at the invitation given to YOU to rest:

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Rest is crucial to our well-being. When we don’t get enough we can experience long-term health problems and a shortened life expectancy. God wove rest into the fabric of creation. The world runs on a very specific rhythm. A year is divided by days and seasons. The world around us operates in relationship with this natural clock, and we, as part of creation, also need to.

Rest isn’t just about gaining our strength, but it’s also about trust. By allowing ourselves to rest, we demonstrate the belief that God will provide for the details of our lives and that we don’t have to strive for every waking moment.

But there’s more to the topic than getting enough sleep and downtime. we realize it isn’t simply physical. Every one of us longs for a spiritual rest from the struggles of daily life.

Self Healing Embodiment [S.h.e.], is my core message, and resting is a critical component. It's a subject I write about repeatedly here on the blog and elsewhere. Not paying attention to myself impacted my life and health greatly. I repeat this message because I know if you are like most, you don't always get something the first or fifth time you hear it. There is so much competing for our attention, repetition is necessary. I pray for the day when caring for ourselves is second nature.

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Take this week to observe yourself and your rest practices. According to Dr. Sandra Dalton, there are many ways to rest: mental, emotional, creative, sensory, social, and spiritual. However, nothing beats simply sitting or laying down just because you want to and you can!

Your Turn

Questions for Reflection:

• Are you getting the rest you need and deserve?

• If not, or even if you do, how can you do better?

• Give it to God. Add these questions to your prayer agenda and watch God work.

If the thoughts above resonate, feel free to share this post with your family and friends.

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I AM…

A Brooklyn Peach. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, now residing in "a city set in a forest," Atlanta, GA. I love warm chocolate chip cookies, funk music, documentaries, memoirs, and Romans 12:1-2. I love talking pop culture, women in the Bible, homemaking, healthy living, grandmothering, reading, and rituals! The best part is when I get to share how it all blends together for good.

Have a beautiful week! Don't let anyone take your joy, and remember to care for yourself first!