A few weeks ago, one Sunday, our family was absolutely wiped out. Why? Because we did too much! It was a hard week that week with the kids going back to school and  my husband going back to work. I was getting into a new rhythm too of getting up early, getting things prepared and doing the school run. Over the summer, I had no worries about having to get up before the kids because there was no rush to get anywhere. Well, apart from going to work that is. But I had an extra hour in bed. ONE WHOLE HOUR! That’s like a lifetime to any mother I think.

My body is taking a little longer to adjust to the early morning routine now though.  I am taking the kids into school earlier so that I can get into work earlier. The idea is that I can leave work earlier too, so that I can get time at the end of the day getting the little bits done that’s needed for home.   Trying is a bit of an understatement though.  It’s more like I am running a race, and I have an elastic band around me that is constantly pulling me back from reaching the finish line.

We also had an event that we needed to go to on the Saturday with the brass band that we play in. This meant that we were going to be out of the house at midday and not return for another 13 and a half hours later!  We did about 6-7 hours worth of travelling altogether.  So yeah, when we woke up Sunday morning at 6:30am we just wanted to hit that snooze button just a few more times! How we managed to leave the house at 8:15am to get ourselves to church I don’t know.  I think that God must have been driving.

You are probably wondering why I am arduously undertaking fitting in so much during the week when I can spread it out at the weekend. (I think a part of me is wondering that too if I’m honest). I aim to change though the way that I do things for one reason – SABBATH! I want to enjoy some time at the weekend where I can rest with my family, and with God.  I want to be able to do the things that I love doing. I don’t want to be rushing around trying to get things done that really no body cares about.  I mean, seriously, what will my kids enjoy more…me playing with them, or me making sure that their clothes are clean?  I know which one I would rather do.

Starting a new rhythm though is not easy, but with the help of Shelly Miller’s new book “Rhythms Of Rest“, it has given me a little more grace to make it easier.  Her book is being launched on October 4th and is available for pre-order NOW!

Photograph taken by Kris Camealy.