Joyful Homes aren’t perfect, but they rest.
Did you know that sleep affects every system of the body? Getting enough good quality sleep is vital for maintaining a healthy brain, metabolism, immune system and more. The same is true for the role of rest in our families. Without regular, good quality rest, our relationships suffer, but it can be hard to make this a priority in our world of frantic activity.
As a family, discuss:
- On a scale of 1-10, where 1 is “never do anything,” and 10 is “every minute is booked,” how would you rate our family? How do you feel about this rating?
- What would your ideal Sunday look like and why?
- What are your favorite restful things to do by yourself? As a family?
Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Family life can be exhausting at times, can’t it? Between our responsibilities, the needs of our loved ones and the difficult circumstances life sends our way, the burdens can indeed be heavy. God is waiting to meet our weariness with his life-giving rest, we just have to take him up on it!
When Mother Teresa’s sisters were overwhelmed with the needs of the people and requested to spend more time in service, she would only allow it if they also added another hour of prayer. Why? Because she knew that in order to give more, God would need to fill them with more to give.
This month, when we’re tempted to skip Mass, prayer, or even just time spent playing with the kids because something “important” needs to get done, let’s step back and allow God to give us his rest, trusting we will be able to get things done better when we are renewed.
Ideas & Resources
Great ideas for celebrating Lent with your family.
Connect with your spouse this Lent with this 30-day email retreat.
Family prayer and date night resources from School of Love.
March 19th is the Feast of St. Joseph! Celebrate during his year.
A beautiful meditation on Psalm 23 by musician Matt Maher.