A Respite

Merriam-Webster defines the word “respite” as being an interval of rest. We each need a time of respite from our daily lives. God took this time on the seventh day, after He had created our world.

A respite may come in several forms. Perhaps a long relaxing cruise….a getaway to a relatives home for a week….five minutes locked in the bathroom away from the demands of your family while you consume a stashed candy bar. Whatever your situation, there is always a time and a place for a respite.

Our family works very hard. Everyday. JP drives a three hour round trip to work a nine-hour day as an engineer. CJ walks miles a day delivering mail. TC gets up and is on the air before most of the world is even conscious. L1 attends school fulltime as well as holding down a regular job and several side jobs taking care of children. Little Bug tries her best everyday at school. I keep our home running, preparing meals, cleaning, doing laundry, taking care of our family, homestead and animals, and working part time as an agronomist.

Each one of us works hard. Each of us has a good work ethic. Each one of us needs a break. Our break comes in the form of a weekend getaway to a local state park inn. The big feature of the state park is its toboggan run. The big feature of the inn is the pool. While pricey if JP and I were to take Little Bug alone, it is much more manageable by traveling with our eclectic family.

We are able to afford the costs by sharing our getaway with our family. We add up the room, food, and gasoline costs, splitting them by five (the number of adults on the trip- Little Bug Does not count.) In that way, we are able to save money, while at the same time, having the opportunity to have a mini vacation.

I encourage you to take a respite. If possible, plan some time away with your family or good friends. If not possible, take a little bit longer than needed stroll through the grocery. Whatever your situation, find some time to take a break from the everyday.

As Etty Hillesum said, “Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths, or the turning inwards in prayer for five short minutes.”

Enjoy your weekend, my friends.

~Annie