Some days everything you are working on, the things you planned, what is supposed to happen, all fall through.

You can’t get that project finished. Your toddler’s nap that you were counting on never materializes.

Yesterday was one of those days. At first, I was frustrated that my plans would not be realized, but instead of forcing something that would have likely blown up in my face, I decided on spontaneity.

Everybody needed a break. A rest from the normal routine, the work of keeping things going, a sabbath.

The Sabbath was instituted by God in the beginning. In six days God created everything, on the seventh day he rested.

And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

– Genesis 2:2-3 (ESV)

God set an example for mankind in resting. He finished His work and then took the next day off.

Working every single day is not good. We need at least one day to put aside the “to do” list and relax.

Moms might argue, “But what about the kids?!” Being a mom is a 24/7 job. So is being a dad. Ideally, both parents work together to provide for and take care of the kids. Especially when they are very little, this “work” doesn’t provide for much “rest” time.

Being a co-parent now, I have two extremes of parenting: 100% on-the-clock taking care of and providing for the kids, and 0% parenting time, off-the-clock. Now, I am still working a full-time job which pays for some of their bills and all of mine, but I am not always directly parenting them.

I digress.

Parenting, no matter what your situation, is hard and a lot of work. When I need “rest” and I am with my kids, like I was this weekend, I sit down with them, present an idea to go out, to do something fun, to put away our other responsibilities and “rest” in a way that helped us recharge.

I tell my kids it’s Sunday, it’s the Sabbath. There are some things we are going to let go of today, to go out and replenish our souls instead.

We love to get out in nature, go to museums, or discover new places we’ve never been to before. After our outing, we stopped at a favorite restaurant in the vicinity of the day trip to fill our bellies, and got a treat after the hour drive home.

There wasn’t much complaining after we got in the car. We were spontaneous in deciding where we would go, but also packed essentials like water, snacks, diapers, wipes, a change of clothes. The adventure was accompanied by some favorite tunes and a flexible attitude to adjust if the plans changed on the fly. During the car ride, half of us took naps (I didn’t as the driver, of course).

When we got home, one kid was almost asleep already. After getting PJs on, brushing teeth, saying prayers, the next child was already well on their way to bed, and then I had one-on-one time with my oldest without a list or agenda, “What would you like to do? How do you want to close the day?”

It was a freeing moment for her because the pressure was off and she just had time that she got to spend with daddy without any expectations.

She asked to paint with me.

Awww… what a restful day it was.

That might not sound restful to you. So… how do you rest?

Instead of forcing yourself to work, take a break and rest in your own way. It will pay huge dividends in your life and those around you.

– Jason