Hello!
It was at varsity that I realized the value of an afternoon nap. Before then I had enough energy to get through everything in a day and still got to bed at humane hours. Everything could be accomplished, and I could still get six or seven hours of sleep.
But then final year struck. It got to a point where the highlight of my day, was doing my dishes, because it was the only free time I had. Humane hours became inhumane and then all-nighters. By the time I got home from classes in the afternoon and was faced with an evening of mountains of work, all I wanted to do was sleep. So I did. And that was when I encountered the wonders of an afternoon snooze. Just a chance to shut your eyes, give your body a break and then get on with the work, with a fresh boost of energy.
In the last few weeks, I have felt a similar kind of need for rest, as I did after my day of classes. I have had the last batch of assignments piling up and one final exam as well as all the things to do for Christmas, looming. The assignments are finally done! And the weeks in between finishing the horrors, and the final exam, have felt a lot like that afternoon nap.
This week and the last were the most ordinary weeks I have had in a while. I came in to work, had the regular things to prep for the weekend, had the regular meetings and went home to my regular evening schedule. And it was amazing! These weeks have been the first where I was able to get back into my routine, in what seems like an age. And what normally would have been an average week was wonderful instead.
This is partly due to a trip on Monday out to Addo. I used to go as often as possible, but not so this year! The busyness of life has stopped me from taking a break to get out there. This week, it wasn’t the greatest day for viewing animals, what with the sporadic bucketing rain and pockets of sunshine. We mostly only saw the buck and birds you would typically see on a game drive. Even so, just getting out for the day was healing for the soul.
There is nothing like a break from the mundane day to day, to show you the things about your day to day that you actually enjoy, and just how much you can do with your time! Taking a break, a quick nap can revitalize you for what comes next.
I’ve heard from a lot of people, and felt it myself, how tired we all are. It has been a long year, and the last two months are always the busiest. We all desperately need a break before jumping into November and December. We need an afternoon nap.
It can be so hard to clear your schedule. Just like taking a nap feels like a waste of half an hour. But just like with the nap, taking a break this weekend will give you the invigoration you need to carry on. Allow yourself some downtime. Have dinner with the family (the kids are also busy with exams; they need a break too!). Go out for an afternoon. Actually take a long nap! Make time to come to church and hear about the Egypt mission. Step back from the busyness and spend time with God.
As the year moves on, we are growing weary and in need of rest. Even the youth are showing it. God knows this. He knows we are exhausted. So come to God and receive your rest. Allow God to renew your strength. Let Him fill you up so that you can soar through the next two months like you are on eagles’ wings! Go to Lord and take that afternoon nap!
Much love in Christ
Heather P