August 1st.  August 1st. Where did July go? I can’t even begin to tell you how fast time seems to be flying for me these days. Maybe you as well. It seems like just yesterday school got out and I had these grand plans to accomplish so much this summer. Sure, I checked off a couple of things from my to-do-list, but for the most part, my list is still long and uncompleted.

Today, I am not worrying about my list or anything else I feel I have to accomplish. Today I plan on resting. Webster’s dictionary defines rest as “ceasing work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength.” Today I plan on ceasing work and movement (if I can) in order to refresh my mind, body, and spirit.

Over the last several weeks I have been co-leading a bible study at my home, trying to keep up with laundry, cleaning, and managing my children’s obsession with technology (that is a full time job friends!). I also have been co-teaching a course which means I have been responding to emails. While I find fulfillment in all of these things, I am tired.

Tired of running and going. Tired of thinking and planning. I woke up this morning with all intentions of going to the gym, but went back to bed instead. It felt great. Resting is important to our physical, mental, and spiritual health. Heck, even God rested after He created the heavens and Earth.

I don’t know if you are like me, but as a teacher, I am seem to be always thinking-thinking about the next year, the next lesson, the design of the learning space. As a teacher who is also a mother, I spend a great deal of time thinking about what to cook for dinner, where do I need to take the kids next, and of course, helping them to learn how to regulate the use of technology (think I have said this before-Lord I am now repeating myself! Do you find yourself always yelling to get off the darn devices!). Here is the thing friends, if we don’t take care of ourselves, we can easily start the new year running on fumes.

Today I am going to the beach-whether it rains or not. Book in hand, sitting under an umbrella. If you need me, come find me there. What are you doing to rest today so that when you go back-to-school you will be refreshed?

#berefreshed, #renew your mind,body, spirit

Published by Jenny Sue Flannagan