When was the last time you were able to truly rest? No, I don’t mean lay down and go to bed. Rest, it’s that peaceful surreal feeling of all is well in the world and the soul.

Rest…the number one item on my wishlist! With 5 very active kids, a husband whose job doesn’t allow for a day off (unless someone in the family steps in to help), and a home filled with noise, laundry, food and dishes, it always seems to tease me from the distance calling my name. It’s what comes to mind when I think about ” the good old days.”

If you are like me you almost have to add rest to the to-do list. It’s hard for me to rest!

Why? Guilt. But that’s against what God wants us to do! Rest is so important even God rested. And it was good!

Exodus 20:8-11 (New Living Translation)

8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you.11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.

One of the goals of my blog, Women With Intention is to help women live their best life. To live with purpose and balance. No rest = no balance!

So what should we do if it’s literally hard to rest? Here are a few ways to help put the “rest” back in your Sabbath (day of rest):

• Have your meals already ready! Have you tried freezer cooking? Pull out a frozen casserole and there’s lunch! You can also have snacks ready, fruit and veggies cut up and ready to eat also help keep the day restful.
• Rest in nature. This is my favorite! Go to the lake, go to a park, take a walk, snooze or read in the hammock, or gaze at the sky.
• Get out your Bible and read a few chapters!
• Take care of all those things that creep up and make you feel guilty for not completing them.
• Leave a notebook on the table for those moments you remember that your kids need lunch money so you can remember to finish it after resting. 
• Go to church with family and close friends.
• Enjoy fellowship with family and friends. 
• Take a nap!
• Catch up on reading a book or magazine!

Will you be trying to get more intentional rest? What holds you back?