My best friend has a tendency to over-commit herself. I used to constantly get after her about how it's okay to say "no" to things. She was running just about every night of the week, helping with church, youth group, volunteering for things at work (she worked at a group home), trying to hang out with friends. She was always over-tired and over-stressed. And I used to shake my head at her, as I always protected my rest time.
I look back at that and think, "What happened?" I supposed imitation truly is the sincerest form of flatter, because I really look up to this woman. And now... I'm just like her. And she's the one from across the ocean say, "You need to cut back." Nice little turn of the tables, isn't it?
I can't seem to say no to anything. I'm always running, always doing. If I quit one activity, I only replace it with another. All are worthy, valuable, and the ones that would give me the most free time are the ones that give me the most fulfillment. And I find myself exhausted. A lot. And whatever rest time I do get only ever plays catch-up, not refreshment.
I'd love to take some time off. But I wonder when? VBS is winding down today. I'm sad in a way, because it's so much fun to watch these kids get excited about the things they do, and I hope they're learning a lot. But I'm also really glad: I'm so tired! (And I don't really do that much, I can't imagine how the crew leaders or craft workers or kitchen volunteers feel at the end of the day!) Then tonight I have an overnighter with the high school girls: lots of fun, but little sleep. Tomorrow I might get to sleep a little, but there's stuff I've neglected around the house for too long to think about it.... And then this next Monday starts student teaching and I'm going to be busier than the proverbial beaver. With wedding planning, lesson planning, teaching, youth group, premarital counseling, and bible studies.... Where does REST come in? What will I have to say no to in order to get it?
What if I don't want to say no?
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