November 16, 2022 – Find Rest in the Craziness

Mercy Every Minute

Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor

Turmoil in the Tornado

Parenting, ministry, homeschooling! There can be turmoil in that tornado, and it can wear us out. Some days (or seasons) you will be functioning with not enough sleep. Some seasons you will lack emotional rest. We can become depressed and lose our joy in all this craziness. We need help.

When we are this tired a lot of things can happen to our bodies and emotions. We can be tired in spirit, soul, and body.

Tired and worn out?

A little physical rest helps the body and soul.

• Take a twenty-minute power nap.
• Get to bed at a reasonable time.
• Ask for help from others.
• Go on a walk with the kids.
• Take a break and catch up on your reading list (the TOS App is free!)
• Watch a devotion on rest (see below).

Is lack of organization causing frustration?

Organization is not once and done; it is a daily process.

• What’s nagging you in your home? Make a list of chores to share.
• Take twenty minutes a day to tackle something (maybe right after your power nap!)
• Take a day off every few weeks to get things back in order.

Are your children regularly disobeying or purposely slow?

• A little bit of consistent training goes a long way towards peace.
• Add to your Bible time the character issues you’ve seen that need addressing

Lacking Spiritual strength?

• Consume Spiritual food and music throughout the day.
• Meditate on one verse of Scripture all day and night.
• Copy and place Scripture where you will see it often.
• Spend time in God’s presence.

Here are some more suggestions that fellow homeschoolers contributed to The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine:

The Beauty of Restful Homeschooling by Danielle Poorman
Staying Sane as You Homeschool by Kathy Kuhl
Frustration to Fun: Informal Homeschool Days by Cindy Horton

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalms 16:11).

When we dwell in the presence of God, we hear Him whisper His direction for life, we find our dreams and pleasures fulfilled, and we experience the fullness of joy! This is where true rest is found, and I will bring my kids there with me as I keep them Home Where They Belong.

~Deborah

Here are a few video devotions on Homeschooling and Rest:
Homeschooling and Rest, Part 1 – YouTube Schoolhouse Devotions
Homeschooling and Rest, Part 2 – YouTube Schoolhouse Devotions
Homeschooling and Rest, Part 3 – YouTube Schoolhouse Devotions

This Homeschool Life is a book series for homeschooling moms to be encouraged and equipped to homeschool confidently. More installments coming in 2023! https://faithandhomepublishing.com

Adam and Dianne Riveiro

He Will Give You Rest

Without a doubt, my most indelible memory from college is . . . fatigue. While that might be a bit of an exaggeration, it’s not much of one. At the height of the craziness, I was taking eighteen credit hours of classes, plus working forty hours a week as a manager at Kay Jewelers. I even picked up an extra shift once a week at Build-a-Bear to make ends meet. Talk about craziness!

At any given time, I was completely and utterly spent. In fact, several times I remember thinking, “I have fifteen minutes between classes. It takes me three minutes to get to my dorm, and then it will take four minutes to get to my next class. That means I can take an eight-minute nap.” Yes, I was that desperate! Can you relate?

Physical fatigue and exhaustion can be draining. However, when we think of “finding rest in the craziness,” we’re talking about something much deeper. If we’re not careful, we can push ourselves to the brink of emotional, mental, and (worst of all) spiritual exhaustion. Maybe you’re already there?

There are lots of factors that can bring you to this point:

• Your schedule
• Your homeschool duties
• Your health
• Your marriage
• Your children
• Your spiritual walk (or lack thereof)

So, how do you get rest for your soul when the situations of life are swirling around you faster than you can keep up? I remember a pastor once saying, “You can get sleep in a bottle, but only Jesus can give you rest.” When you can’t seem to find rest in the craziness, take solace in Christ’s prescription for a hectic heart:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)

Today, take time for Scripture reading, prayer, and meditation on the Word. Give the burdens of your heart to the only one Who can truly give rest to your soul.

-Adam

About the author

Pastor Adam and Dianne Riveiro live in Easton, Massachusetts, where Adam leads Liberty Baptist Church. They’re the authors of several books, including Hope from Our Heart to Yours: A 30-Day Devotional Journey for Special Needs Families, available from their family’s publishing label at www.readyscribepublications.com. They have four children: Bethany, Kaylee, AJ, and Peyton. They’re passionate about helping their fellow special needs families find joy and contentment in Christ.

Stephanie Morrison

Pillar of Hope
Stephanie Morrison – Divine Rest

Breathe in. Breathe out. Sometimes with eyes closed, other times with eyes wide open. Sometimes just once. Other times require several deep breaths. That’s my quick and easy rest. When there are days and moments that don’t allow for a longer rest or time of solitude, we need our quick and easy “rest fix.”

God breathes His life into us. “All the while my breath is in me, and the Spirit of God is in my nostrils; (Job 27:3)”. Use that knowledge to feel God wrap His comfort around you and keep you calm, cool and connected in the midst of craziness, overwhelm, or any other emotional upheaval.

This simple practice of deep breathing, thinking on God, and quick prayer can be your dependable time of renewal to continue with love and God’s purpose in your heart. Your children need a rested role model. A bit sleep-deprived is ok, and a little weary (physically or mentally) is acceptable, but the kind of rest that energizes you the way only your Creator can is essential. You have an awesome privilege and responsibility in raising your children. While a good amount of sleep can be helpful, know that the rest you need the most is a constant connection with the One who gives you true life. He is just one deep breath away.

About the author

Stephanie, her husband and two boys are perfectly placed in the prairies of Saskatchewan, Canada. She has educated her two youngest boys, ages 14 and 11 since birth. Pursuing her calling to help parents enjoy the responsibility of educating their children, she works for The Old Schoolhouse® in the Canadian division and in sales support helping to connect parents to the materials and programs that help them teach. She loves being a homebody, growing food indoors and out, and building up her permaculture property.

Need to add some wholesome fun to your homeschool day? How about putting “Garden-of-Eden Salad” or “Moral-Fiber Fun Dish” on your dinner table tonight? These are real recipes that require digging through your Bible to determine the ingredients! “Search for Your Supper” is one of four terrific hands-on Bible Adventure Scavenger Hunts found in the Digging for Treasure course at SchoolhouseTeachers.com.