How do I enter His rest when it seems I am always on duty, always vigilant to avoid messes or cleaning them up, perpetually making meals, washing dishes, doing laundry and heading to appointments? Where is the Sabbath when you have health challenges? Or a child with special needs? Or a young adult child with a mental illness? Or an aging parent? When can I rest if there is always something else on my list of things that must be done?

How do I maintain the peace of Christ when the circumstances of my life are a roller coaster? Life has no off switch and in spite of what the commercial says, no “EASY” button. It turns out it is not just me. My unmarried friend, who is a sociology professor, experiences the same things: deadlines, doctors’ appointment and even dishes!

Chapters 3 and 4 in the book of Hebrews link unrest with unbelief. Unbelief says I must always do more. Faith says this is enough for now. I complete the most urgent thing and pause to remind myself, “It is well with my soul.” Isaiah 30:15 admonishes Israel, “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you were not willing.”

As often as I am able, I soak up quiet moments of refreshing that come from the Lord. It may be an unexpected few minutes in the calm before the storm or it may be a planned escape for a few hours. As hectic as my life is, I can’t be overcome by events because I don’t want God’s appraisal of me to be, “She was unwilling,” but that “She drew near to me and found rest for her soul.”