R.E.S.T

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Hello friends! How have you been? As always, it is so GOOD to have you visit the blog today!

If it is your first time here, WELCOME! Get ready for a ride! It is always captivating, real, and inspirational here!

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Today, I will be talking about something that I personally feel that many people should learn to do more of. As you can tell by the title of the blog, it is REST! A few weeks ago, my daughter turned 6 and she requested a staycation to celebrate. Normally she would have had a party where she’d invite family and friends to join the fun. But as you and the entire world knows…ISSA PANDEMIC! We had plan to have family trips and a couple’s trip during the year that were obviously cancelled, so the staycation idea wasn’t a bad one. But I had some reservations, I had to pray and think long and hard before making a decision.

For me, birthday celebrations are a big deal! I don’t take the gift of life for granted. I always look forward to doing the most for my family’s birthdays. After much planning and researching, I was able to find a hotel that was following COVID guidelines and I felt safe enough to honor my daughter’s request and also use that opportunity to rest. At that point, I desperately needed a break from the normal day to day activities. This wifey-momma-pastor-and the list goes on, need a break!

Luckily, my husband was able to take three days off of work; my daughters are also attending school virtually and my sister volunteered to come and help with the girls (it was a surprise to them); so it was s win-win situation. I really needed a break and I was impatiently counting down the days. As the days got closer, I found myself over-packing and wondering how everything would go. On the day of, I ended up with 3 big suitcases and a number of smaller bags (I went overboard!). I overthought and over planned every minute detail.

Why is rest essential? We were not designed to work continuously without taking breaks. We see a vivid template after God completed creation, he rested!!! When I think of the word rest, these words come to mind: Rejuvenate, Elevate, Stimulate and Transform (an acronym for REST). The word rejuvenate is defined as: give new energy or vigor to; revitalize; restore a youth appearance. The word elevate is defined as: raise or lift up to a higher position. The word stimulate is defined as: raise levels of psychological or nervous activity in (the body or any biological system. The word transformation is defined as: a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance; a metamorphosis; or the induced or spontaneous change. 

If someone does not take time to REST: Rejuvenate, Elevate, Stimulate and Transform on a regular basis, breakdown is inevitable; that individual will not be able to make progress, they’ll get into overdrive and burnout. This is an absolute no-no, it is no fun. Life is meant to be enjoyed not endured. If you burnout, the work and other responsibilities will still be remain. Hence it is important to structure your life and manage your time. You will always make time for what you love and for is what is important to you.

Rest is essential, we have to be intentional and plan it. For me, the staycation was refreshing. I still had to work and the girls were still attending their virtual classes but being in a relaxed environment makes a huge difference. I was able to get more done and have time to reflect, plan, and see things in a different light. It felt so good to not have to worry about cooking, the hotel had breakfast covered. For lunch and dinner, we brought some snacks and food from home and we got food from nearby restaurants when needed. The hotel had an indoor pool that only allowed one family in it per time; we also brought games and activities so we didn’t have to leave the hotel unless we had to pick up food (my husband and I did that while the children stayed with my sister).

It was also amazing to have my sister’s help. Rest also involves community, being able to reach out to those who can help when needed is key. In the past, asking people for help was extremely difficult for me, even when they offered, I’d hesitate. I had this misconception that strong women had to master the act of multitasking everything (what a big fat lie!). I have come to realize and accept that somethings can be outsourced, what matters the most is they get done not necessarily who does it. I am now make plans to get help with my children, cooking, cleaning, ministry tasks and some other duties. It will give me time for other things and I’ll have energy for the more important things. My priorities are my family, my marriage, purpose and ministry. I have to create a structure that will allow me to focus on what truly matters.

As 2020 comes to an end and 2021 beckons, I want to encourage you to take time out to REST! You need time to reflect and plan ahead. You need to get your mind right for 2021. You can not afford to enter the new year unprepared, you can not afford to continue to live from a level of extreme stress and intense pressure. If you start tired, it will be difficult to finish strong. Strength is needed to journey successfully in life, it is the fuel that keeps the fire burning. You may not be able to have a staycation, but you can take a few hours out each day to just be still…shutting out all distractions (phone off, notifications off, television and laptop off, etc.) Take time out to pray, pouring out your heart to God and ask him questions, download his plans for you in 2020. You can also take some time to nap, sleep is good! I was able to take a nap or two during the staycation, and it gave me a burst of energy that made it possible for me to get through the rest of the day.

2020 has been an interesting year, so much has happened but more importantly you are reading this right now because you made it!!! And that is enough to celebrate about. The other day, as I sat on the floor in my bedroom, I was reflecting on this year and I ended my reflection by saying “this was a good year”. A lot happened around me, but I was able to see that the good overwhelmed the bad. It can only get better from here, so REST!

Thanks for reading! Now, over to you: What are you plans for the rest of the year? How are you spending Christmas? I love to read from you so don’t leave me hanging!

With lots of love,

– Bunmi Adebiyi
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