Rest is a Weapon

My younger son and I have spent over a week suffering with upper respiratory cold symptoms.  I have read many postings on Face Book that people have been sick lately, many “wasting” their spring break recovering.  We know that often times, when we are sick, it is because our bodies have been overtaxed, our immune systems depleted and what our body’s are needing is rest.  This is what we have been doing in my house; resting (well, coughing….and resting).

Rest gives my body and mind a day or two “off” to recover from the stresses and duties of this life.  Rest gives me a chance to just be without having to do.  It gives my body a chance to replete itself to rebuild its defenses.  Often, I see rest as my body’s way of taking some time to reload the ammunition I’ve used up in life.  In this way, I’m able to be strengthened to continue to fulfill my destiny, which is to say, “fight” for the place that is mine in this world. So I really like the thought that rest is a weapon.

Someday, I’m going to learn the secret of living in perpetual rest.  I don’t mean that I will stop the “fight”, but that I will learn how to find the balance of simultaneous fighting and resting; in that way I will never run out of ammunition!  Hmm….nice thought.

In the meantime, if you’re recovering from symptoms of illness, or if you just need a “breather” from the day to day, take the time to rest and replenish yourself; load up and carry on.  There are “lands” to be conquered, rewards to be had and legacies to leave!  Go get ‘em!

-Tessa L. Charles