Recently the word rest has become important in my prayer time, and I’m still very much unpacking the meaning of that. At first, I assumed it meant taking more time off from my work. So I started looking at all the many things I feel called to: time creating in the studio, writing poetry, teaching, working toward becoming a spiritual director, and thinking about publishing my next collection of poetry. It’s a lot, not to mention being a mother and a friend and trying to take care of my own self. The truth is I don’t want to give up anything I’m doing right now because it all feeds my soul! But how to find time to rest?! The question left me perplexed.
The other day, though, while walking in the park, I noticed the Fall trees and sky. For a brief moment, I noticed the red and gold colors against the deep blue sky; noticed them in a way that is hard to describe. And then these words came to me: rest your eyes. And I thought to myself, if I close my eyes, I will miss all this beauty. And I came to understand that rest is not only about closing one’s eyes and stepping back from things. It’s not solely about taking a summer retreat or a weekend away or even a day off. Rest might be as simple as a few seconds of noticing the beauty of the world and pushing everything aside for just a minute to drink in that beauty, to relish it, and to let it nourish your soul.
