Even a Mother needs her Rest.

Even God rested on the 7th day.

Why do we, as Mommies, sometimes not take the rest we need?

In fact, we ALL need our rest.  Our bodies wear out with all the work we have to do each day even though what we have to do is the work of God and is a blessing.  Children need their rest too.

Don't we get grumpy or feel less than ourselves when we are overtired?  Maybe we'd get more accomplished in the day if we went to bed at a decent hour to get that rest we so need.

So often, we share with each other about the need to get up early - "earlier than our children" so we can have that alone time with the Father.  I think it's great if you can do that.  My children wake up early.  I make myself go to bed at 10:30 every night even when I really want to finish reading some blogs or a book, or watch a movie or am just wide awake and think I might as well sit up.  I make it a priority to go to bed at 10:30.  Usually even on the weekends even tho I can rest a bit later on weekends.  It's a habit I have gotten my body into.  When my rest is interrupted I can surely tell it.

Last night I slept but I didn't feel like I got much sleep.  So, today, along with "female issues" I am feeling over tired, weepy and not able to get done everything I need to.  (mainly because of the female issues causing me much pain)

Do we put our children to bed at a decent hour?  They need their sleep to be happy, easier to please and a joy the next day.  Plus children of a certain age also have school and chores.  I homeschool my girls but they still have it daily, in the mornings.  And yes, they have chores.  So they need that rest.

Sometimes I think we Moms think we can get just a little more done if we stay up, or we can have a little more quiet, alone time after the children are in bed, that we can handle less sleep.

I just want to encourage you to replenish your bodies.

If you need to get up even earlier to have your quiet time with the Lord, you may want to go to bed earlier.  Maybe not.  I need a lot of sleep.  I get my quiet time during the day when I stop and tell the children (even my toddler, Hannah) to be quiet while I have my quiet time in the Bible.  They respect that.  I listen to sermons my friend Melissa sent me from her church or I listen to Revive our Hearts or I read.  Either way I have ear plugs in or I go to my bedroom and shut the door, making sure the older girls are keeping an eye on Hannah.

Here is Hannah Joy laying down to rest for movie time on a pallet.

This was not a school night.

They do not get movies unless they are watched before bedtime except on the weekends sometimes.

Here's Sarah Faith doing the same thing. :)

...and of course Miss Madi Grace!

I know how important rest is and I can't do all I need to with a joyful heart and gentle spirit if I don't get some rest.

Please let this give you something to think about.  Get your rest.  Sure, absolutely get up earlier to do your quiet time if that is what works best for you, but account that into figuring out your bedtime.

I personally enjoy getting up between 6 and 7 a.m.

So, my bedtime, whether I am up for it or not is 10:30.

I pray God blesses you and speaks to you as you go to Him about this matter.  May you be blessed and see great changes as you get a bit more rest.

Smiles, Cass