Rest.

Life… who knew only a four letter word would take up so much time. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, life always seems to speed right past yah. Lately I’ve felt like no matter how many hours I spend outside, on homework, or in conversation, a new day begins and flies right by all over again.

Lately, I’ve really tried to be intentional about how I spend my day and who I spend it with. I study with people a lot more than I used to, allowing fellowship and communication to grow in the midst of my education. Ive planned to grab lunch or dinner with friends I rarely see because of the everyday hustle and bustle of classes. Ive reluctantly gone to a coffee shop (if you know me, you know that coffee and I don’t see eye to eye) just to spend a few precious moments with people dear to my heart, but no matter what I do, time never slows down, sunshine always turns to moonlight, and my time has run out each day.

The thought of needing rest has gone across my mind multiple times these past few weeks, but each time I wake up from a nap, I still feel that aching desire to want more rest. Because of my constant need to find rest I went to scripture, hoping to find some answers. Mark 6: 31 talks about rest by saying:

“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

How relatable is this verse to college life. There are times in the day where life is too crazy and I forget to eat certain meals (I know, its bad, but trust me food is good here in the Fort). There are moments where I feel like my room is a revolving door always opening and closing because my day never allows me to stop and sit. When I read this verse about a week ago, I challenged myself. Every time I felt like I needed rest, I wouldn’t lie down and sleep, instead, I would stop and pray.  I know that sounds cheesy, and cliche. I used to think so myself, but y’all, it actually helps. Now, I’m one of those girls who believes prayer can happen in all forms. Standing, kneeling, eyes open, closed, hands open, or hands full of cookies. There are no set guidelines on how you should hold yourself when you pray. All that is asked is we present ourselves with an open heart and mind.

My prayers started off casual, using short little sentences like, “Hey God, look at me, I’m resting in conversation with you.” or “psst, God, I’m at the gym and really feel like taking a nap, could you just clear my mind and help motivate me.” After a while, the prayers turned into intentional words, that led to meaningful conversations on my walks to and from class. Rest doesn’t always mean sleeping or watching Netflix, even though those are both amazing. Finding rest could mean finding time in your day to focus on something other than the things in life that are making you anxious.

My days are busy and they go by so fast, but I want to make sure they are busy with meaningful conversations and they are filled with many short prayers to God.

When Life Hands You Lemons, Rest.