Human Beings, Not Human Doings

“Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest”

Loving words from our loving Father. What does rest mean to you? I grew up with a bunch of “Martha’s” as role models! All the adult women in my life seemed so busy either getting ready for an event or occasion, or cleaning up from said event or occasion. I heard phrases like “cleanliness is next to godliness” and “idle hands are the devil’s work”. It seemed to me that as the holidays approached, things ramped up even more! My grandma lived with us and she always said we had to have a spotless house with no dirty clothes on Chistmas Day because it was the birthday of our Savior.

But, was Jesus born in a spotless house? Did all that work make Christmas more special? My husband told me that his mom was so busy with all the holiday craziness that Christmas didn’t even seem fun to him. Who wants a stressed out mom!! That was when I started to rethink how I prepare for the birth of our Savior. I no longer feel the need to have the perfect Christmas card picture, or bake every Christmas cookie, or put out all five totes of Christmas decorations!! I just focus on why we celebrate and try to make sure we include the things that are special traditions for our family. Much less stressful and even, dare I say, peaceful.

"My husband often reminds me that I am a human being and not a human doing!"

He also says that the enemy tries to make us so busy that we are ineffective! That got my attention! We women tend to pride ourselves in the art of multi tasking as if it’s a badge of honor - it’s not!! In fact it’s not even healthy for us! We all need time for our souls to breathe and our bodies to rest as chronic busyness is just a normal day in today’s world. Pressured by culture, we’ve swallowed the lie that a busy life is a fulfilling life.

More is better, faster is sooner, as if frantic is the new holiness. The traditions, parties and festivals at this time of year are good - except if they rob you of your peace and joy! Rest is one of God’s gifts to us. He loves us and cares about our physical, spiritual and mental health. He wants us to abide in Him. I love the word “abide”. It feels warm and cozy! Someday we will fully understand what it is like to rest - abide in God - when life is how He intended it to be. Until then, He says “Be still, let go, stop striving and know that I am God! So, let’s enter into this Holy season celebrating the birth of our Savior with peace and joy in our hearts because we are being more intentional to rest in God. May your body, mind and soul be at rest and know the deep abiding peace that comes from deeply knowing God.

• Barb Myklebust