Time to Rest or Invest?

Ten weeks ago I spent 4 days in the hospital with what fortunately turned out to be a very unusual migraine. I had had the headache for about 3 weeks. It was really just more annoying than anything else, however, I had noticed some tingling in my hands and feet which apparently can be typical of migraines. Things became a little more alarming when, while working with a student, I began stuttering at school. By the time I left school that day I was not able to complete any words without any a stutter. I had never experienced anything like this and was very worried. Praise the Lord that 2 CTs and EEG later my doctor and a neurologist determined I had a very unusual and prolonged migraine. I learned a lot about migraine headaches over the next couple of weeks. I also learned that stuttering along with a migraine is an indication of stress and exhaustion.

My life had become increasingly full, too full. I love, love, love my job and can never imagine doing anything else, however, my job can have some very stressful days. One thing that I had not allowed myself to do everyday was rest. I was leaving school and trying to do too many other things in the afternoon, starting school work way too late at night, getting 4 or so hours of sleep and back up at 5:00 to do it all over again. Over commitment has always been a struggle for me. I do not like to let anyone down and never want to say, “no,” to anybody who asks me to do something. Well, that has changed in the last 10 weeks. I have forced myself to slow down and cut a few things out. I have even given myself a bedtime, yep like when you were in elementary school bedtime. I have to admit now…I love it! I feel like a normal person again.

One thing that I took a break from was our church choir. I love being a part of the choir but in these first couple of months since being in the hospital and starting antiseizure medicine to prevent migraines I have been limiting myself on activities during the week. I started out doing nothing after school, added Bible Study/small group, and am excited to now be back at choir! Our devotion at the end of choir tonight was about knowing when it is time to Rest v. Invest. We all have times in our lives that we need to invest in others. Investing in the lives of others and being a part of serving others is so important. We were created for fellowship and God created the bonds of friendship that allow us to depend on each other. He also created burdens in our hearts for particular ministry areas and services to allow us to invest. At the same time, we all have time that we need to rest. There are times in our lives when we need to take a break. Set limits and stick to them. Taking the time to just rest allows us to be renewed and refreshed. I am so happy to have come to a point my life that I am recognizing the times in my life that I need to rest. I find myself being a better teacher, daughter, sister, and friend when I am investing a reasonable amount of time and not letting my “invest” affect my rest.

Blythe and me during a Christmas By Candlelight performance as a part of the choir