While preparing for bed last evening, I began my nightly routines. Many of them involve a “personal grooming” of sorts as I begin to put my body in a place of rest.  Over the last few days I have been seeking God for clarity in some areas of my life and it was if while standing in front of the mirror, God gave me a fresh perspective.

I go through this routine of unwinding most days but it became clear that on days when I was later getting home, I’d rush the process and leave out a few steps to hurry and get to bed only to fail to get the sleep/rest I need.  Last night, I was purposeful.  I spent time with myself and I left no stone unturned.  One step that often gets omitted in my rushing is good face cleansing and make up removal.  As I took time to reach for my final product when I take the time to use it, last night it meant so much more.  Clinique makes a product called, “Take the Day Off.”

That’s it I thought!  In my rush to omit the little important things, I had failed to “take the day off”.  I sat on the edge of my bed and wondered how many days did I have on.  Was that why I was feeling so weighted?  Was that why I had the outbreaks?  Wow……

I’ve found that people struggle with my choices.  They think I’m too hard on myself and that I think “I’m perfect.”  What’s funny is how far that is from the truth. The reality is that I am never comfortable with where I am because as I study the word of God, I realize how much of a work in process I am.  What’s beautiful is that as long as I keep the light of God’s word on me, I have less time to point out the faults of others-that’s not my place anyway. Not everyone is willing to put in the work so they struggle with your choices.  It’s okay.  It’s freeing to live for the acceptance of God and God alone. It’s a lonely place at times but beneficial none the less.

So as I learn to “take the day off”, I realize that “each day has enough cares of its own.”  I begin to “lay aside every weight that besets me” and I begin to prepare for rest.  It’s so important because the truth is this “each day really does have enough cares” and if I am not careful, I’ll be overloaded with the things I was supposed to take off, the things I must care for the day trying to pick up the things that I’m not supposed to until tomorrow.  What about you?  As you prepare for rest tonight, will you “take the day off?”