Do you struggle to unwind? Is it hard to incorporate breaks into your week? God created rest for our benefit, to restore us. If you’re feeling weary, Cornerstone elementary Bible teacher and parent, Trina Alleyne, encourages us to create a healthy, biblical habit of rest, just as God intended!
To my fellow parents - are you overwhelmed with all the crying, whining, grumbling, and complaining? Do you have days when no one - not even you wants to do schoolwork? Here’s some encouragement - It’s hard. Yes, that’s right. Educating your kids at home is hard work. But even though it’s hard, Jesus has some great advice - take a break to rest.
Rest Is a Necessity Not A Luxury
In the book of Mark, Jesus sends out His disciples two by two. They went out preaching, healing, and casting out demons. It was very hard to endure all the opposition, but they pressed on. When they returned to Jesus, here’s what He said in Mark 6:30-32,
“The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.”
What amazing advice from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He knows how hard serving your children in a hybrid school can be. He knows the long hours it takes to teach multiple subjects to multiple children. And then when school is done, God knows your other responsibilities - doing chores, making dinner, etc., not to mention making time for your spouse!
Jesus did not want His disciples to continue working without breaks. That’s how we become overwhelmed, discouraged, and burnt out. The design of breaks is built into every sphere of our existence. God took a break after creating the entire cosmos on day 7. Our work week is only five days so we can take a rest on the weekends. Concerning nature, some plants and animals rest during the cold winter months. God built rest into our very bodies by designing us to sleep every single night. Even when the God-Man Jesus was here on earth, He would go away by Himself to pray and to be alone.
Physical Break
With understanding God’s design for rest, take a break, parents. You need it! Here are a few ideas for rest:
Take a break to be by yourself. Whether it’s a walk alone or sitting in your camper parked in your driveway!
- Set aside time for a hobby you enjoy
- Plan a night with some friends.
- Go on a date with your spouse.
- Pray and have personal Bible study. This is most important! This is where you find strength, hope, encouragement, and peace.
Mental Break
When you break, try not to spend the whole time thinking or talking about the children! This is sometimes very easy to say, but hard to do. When you continually talk or think about your children, you never truly take a break. One of the reasons for rest is for your brain to rest, as well. Look at it as a parent time-out.
It’s Possible!
When my kids were all very young, I saw taking a break as almost impossible. But the more I understood and saw the value of breaks, the better my days got with my kids. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still hard. But taking the right types of breaks helps make my life easier and more enjoyable!
You’re not the only one who needs a break. Even your kids need rest. Maybe they can play outside or stay inside and build Legos. Please reward them with fun breaks so they get time to rest and recharge. Learning is hard work for little minds. Creating a healthy biblical habit of rest can help you and your children enjoy the homeschool journey!
Be blessed, my friend!
Trina Alleyne, Cornerstone Elementary Bible teacher and mom of six
The Belize IMPACT mission team will be hosting Parents Night Out to current Cornerstone families on Sat, Feb 11, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the school to help raise money for their trip. This will be great practice for them as the mission trip includes providing after-school care for children in Belize!
For only $20 per child with a $50 family maximum, the children will enjoy a pizza dinner, movie, and fun playtime in the gym with some awesome high school students.
Registration is required. Register Here Before It Fills Up
Registration Closes Wed, Feb 8, at 9 p.m.