Mama’s always said I’m not very good at doing nothing. For the past week, however, I haven’t had a choice. I got walloped by what I would describe as gastro-intestinal mayhem of epic proportions, enhanced by the occasional fever and chills. It introduced itself, as these things do, right at the beginning of a Southern Living sales meeting, which I had to flee—literally—hoping against hope that I didn’t share it with anybody there.
For the first three days, I couldn’t even focus enough to watch TV or listen to an audiobook. All I could do was . . . absolutely nothing. Until I was finally well enough to sleep. And sleep. And sleep. I had no idea how tired I was.
The triage nurse at my doctor’s office said it was likely a virus going around. Mama diagnosed it as e coli and made me promise never to eat lettuce again as long as I live. She also pointed out that I rarely get this sick, and when I do, exhaustion is generally a factor.
We say it all the time: “I’m sick and tired of [insert whatever you’re sick and tired of here].” Sick and tired often travel together, don’t they? But maybe the other way around: We get so tired that we become sick. Mama says that if you won’t stop yourself and rest, your body will eventually do the stopping for you. I think she’s right. (Who are we kidding? She’s always right.)
Rest is important—a necessity, not a luxury—physically and spiritually. Yes, there’s work to be done, but we also need time to rest and recharge, to be still and be fed. So if you're at the point where you feel like you just can't go any more—stop. What needs to be done will somehow get done. It always does.
Rest and peace to you this Sunday morning.
[Image by Freerangestock.com]
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