About the Author

Kaitlyn is a Virtual Assistant, book launch manager, and storyteller who writes about discovering God's goodness in the ordinary and faithfulness in the difficult. She loves good books, deep conversations, and iced vanilla lattes. Kaitlyn is the author of Even If Not: Living, Loving, and Learning in the in Between.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
Recent Posts

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. We’ll be teaching the 4th commandment to our 3rd graders in 3 weeks. I’m going to incorporate this wonderful post into our lesson. Not a box to check off in keeping the Sabbath but a gift of intentional remembering! Jesus is our rest! Thank you for sharing. Blessings!

    • I love that, Ruth! I volunteered in a fourth grade classroom for a while and love thinking about this message reaching those kiddos now (who are grown adults). Thank you for sharing the encouragement!

  2. Oh my goodness, thank you for saying what I am thinking and experiencing. Maybe other “super women” are needing a long rest just like me.

    I admit that maybe I just don’t want to seem lazy. My Grandmother was always cooking, sewing, doing laundry and getting ready for Sunday School and Church (Meeting Day). She held our family together on sad days and on graduation days. How did I miss that she was also in need of rest more than she ever said.

    I don’t want this pattern to be a tradition that I carry on and leave behind for my girls. At 63 years wise, I accept the truth that I am not weak or less than because I am tired and need to rest more often as I
    mature.

    My compliments to all those family members who are the Rock of Gibraltar type people, please stop and smell the roses because I didn’t and I long for those times from my past.

    God wants us to enjoy our lives, even to live bountiful lives. I think I know that life is filled with lots of experiences but I did not really embrace thoroughly my youth, my children growing up, their college years and now I hope I didn’t set the wrong example by always being in a hurry about checking the next item off my “to do list” and not taking time to make lasting memories.

    Thank You Lord for Your Grace and Mercy.

    Enjoy your day everyone.

    Brenda

    Your Sister in Christ

    • “She held our family together on sad days and on graduation days. How did I miss that she was also in need of rest more than she ever said.” This is so moving, Brenda. What a thoughtful reflection of appreciation… and recognition that rest surely must have been needed. It sounds like you might be able to gently lead your loved ones by choosing rest. 🙂

  3. Oh my goodness, thank you for saying what I am thinking and experiencing. Maybe other “super women” are needing a long rest just like me.

    I admit that maybe I just don’t want to seem lazy. My Grandmother was always cooking, sewing, doing laundry and getting ready for Sunday School and Church (Meeting Day). She held our family together on sad days and on graduation days. How did I miss that she was also in need of rest more than she ever said.

    I don’t want this pattern to be a tradition that I carry on and leave behind for my girls. At 63 years wise, I accept the truth that I am not weak or less than because I am tired and need to rest more often as I
    mature.

    My compliments to all those family members who are the Rock of Gibraltar type people, please stop and smell the roses because I didn’t and I long for those times from my past.

    God wants us to enjoy our lives, even to live bountiful lives. I think I know that life is filled with lots of experiences but I did not really embrace thoroughly my youth, my children growing up, their college years and now I hope I didn’t set the wrong example by always being in a hurry about checking the next item off my “to do list” and not taking time to make lasting memories.

    Thank You Lord for Your Grace and Mercy.

    Enjoy your day everyone.

    Brenda

  4. I have learned that for my mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health I need to slow down and rest. If I have the weight of the world on my shoulder I’m no good to anyone.
    Jesus set the example for us to rest.

  5. Oh how timely. I feel like I’m on the edge of a cliff and know I need to stop. So much going on and always have been stubbornly independent. I cannot do it all myself and certainly need a break. I just moved cross country, closed on a home yesterday, getting new tires this morning because i hit a curb rushing around and blew out a tire, and the to do list before I finally get my belongings from the moving company is endless. Breathe…

    • So much! That is so much. Praying your day is smoother, that you can let some of those boxes pile up for a while, and that your new city brings unexpected joy and delight.

    • Madeline,

      Praying for strength to handle all that God has put on your plate. Asking God to send people to assist you in this move. Prayers you can put some spiritual white space on your to do list every day. It will help reenergize & focus you. In Jesus Name AMEN

      Blessings 🙂

  6. How much I needed this. I have pushed myself to the edge because I have always been the person who held things together and I’ve reached the point that I can’t. Thank you for reminding me that God says, come and rest

  7. So true well said Kailtyn. I needed this. I know I don’t rest enough. I go to my elderly Dad 7 days a week. To things for him and walk his dog. As he can’t walk her anymore. My sister’s do a we bit but I do more. Because if I don’t it will not get done and the house will get messy and untidy. So my Husband gives of I do to much and sisters could do more. There kids are not babies they are all big so they could do more for my Dad there Dad. But I know them so well if I say anything to them they say we are working and your not we still got the kids to see to even if big. So you’d get this you more time as you only got your Husband to see. We have a Husband and kids to see to. But at they could do more. I do like to see my Dad’s messy as it annoys me. Yes it gets to me they don’t do more when they can. You get from my Dad they are busy with their Husbands and kids. They do what they can leave them alone. I sometimes get cross inside. As I know they can do more despite having kids and a Husband. My Dad with being 81 does not realise he makes as much mess as he does and spills food on his floor. If I didn’t tidy it up especially of his kitchen floor he could fall. I wouldn’t want that to happen. So if I see things that need done I just do them. Then after my Dad’s I going home to making meals and ironing for me and my Husband. You get my Husband saying it can wait. Make the lunch at lunch time or tea at tea time even with the ironing. But no in my eyes it has done now. As then we can have an early lunch or tea. The ironing out of the way. My Husband is so very good. He does the washing and hoovering for me. So I thank full for that. But at the same time my rest then is limited. God has told me to rest more and not to do as much. Even for my elderly Dad and in my own home. I finding that hard. But I have too. Do less for for my Dad with him being elderly. You could clean it the morning and by the evening when walking the dog again and going back the next day. It looks as if was never done. But it looks lovely for a short time after you have done it. But God said to me as long as kitchen clean and bathroom and bed made. The rest can wait and put on wash for your Dad now and then just walk the dog the rest will be ok. So today this post really spoke to me. As I find myself so tried. That I got the energy to hardly do anything even in my own home. I push myself to do it. My Husband said Dawn stop it. As your going to collapse with exhaustion. Then you be no good to anyone not along yourself. So I have to try my best to do what God has said and my Husband as they are right. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little xx in my prayers all incourage.

  8. Thank you for sharing your experience and the truths you’ve learned, Kaitlyn. SO needed; SO helpful. I’m going to copy a few statements on Post-Its and leave them here and there as reminders to myself–so I don’t forget to remember!

    • Remember to rest is good as we always need it during the day. Even though I have a 10 minute break at work some days, it’s a good way to get off my feet and eat and look out the window and see beauty of the day. Even Jesus found places to rest. Genesis 2:1-3 and Matthew 8:24. I’m glad He still cares for us in life. I’m sure life wouldn’t be the best without Him. Even though life’s not easy there is a better way to make it through the stress that hits us. “As for me and my household we will serve God.” Joshua 24:15.
      I won’t forget to remember to take rest in God through life.

  9. Remember to remember rest… how profound! And so simple! Praying you are rested and enjoying the moment by moment grace and peace and faithfulness our Lord gives you ! Great is His faithfulness
    I too will use some sticky notes to remember…. Blessings dear sister in Christ

  10. Kaitlyn,

    Prayers for you health. Asking God to send His healing touch to your body, mind & soul. Society tells us to hustle, do more, work harder, etc. God on the other hand tells us to rest. Take a break, slow your breathing & enjoy the moment. Putting spiritual white space on your to do list isn’t being lazy. It is making time for God. Allowing Him to fill you up again to go do it some more. Jesus knew keenly well the need for rest. He went away often to be with the Father. We all need refreshment & rest. Praying everyone can & will take heed of this command to Remember the Sabbath & rest.

    Blessings 🙂