It’s Tuesday. I’m sitting at my desk, and my job today is about as monotonous as it gets. If I’m being honest, I’ve already caught myself dozing off more than once. You know the kind — the slow head bob that snaps you awake just in time to look around and make sure no one noticed.
At this point, I’ve accepted that if I stop moving, I’m in trouble. So I stand up with my stand-up desk. I walk around. I go to the bathroom. I stretch….which I am sure looks funny if someone happens to be walking by my window! I refill my coffee. I grab a diet Dr. Pepper. ANYTHING to keep from fully nodding off at my desk. So far…it isn’t working!
Meanwhile, at home… well, that’s a whole different kind of chaos.
The Christmas decorations are coming down, which means my house looks like a holiday storage unit exploded. Everything needs to be cleaned up and put away before Wednesday night because we’re hosting a New Year’s Eve party. By the time I get home from work, all I want to do is sleep — but instead, I’m staring at bins, lights, and ornaments, wondering who thought buying this much Christmas décor was a good idea. (It was me. I admit it, I’m the problem!)
The grandkids are on winter break, which means snacks are disappearing at an alarming rate. And here’s the real confession — it isn’t just the kids. Somewhere along the way, my pants and I realized that I, too, have been enjoying those snacks a little too much. I should probably make sure that I am not getting gluten-free snacks…
It’s that weird stretch of time between Christmas and New Year’s — when routines are off, everything feels half-finished, and your body is begging for rest while your to-do list absolutely refuses to cooperate.
I was so excited that I got a SkyLight calendar for Christmas…but now you can see the stuff that is planned out days, weeks and months in advance!
The good news?
The kids are also spending time with their other grandparents this week, which has given us a small break in the chaos. No cheer. No school. No therapy appointments. Just a little breathing room — and honestly, a chance to reset. We were even lucky enough to go out on a date together this past Friday evening. I don’t remember the last time we were able to do that.
As I’ve been sitting here trying to keep my eyes open, God has been gently reminding me of something I don’t always listen to very well:
Rest is not laziness. And sometimes, it is okay to say “no”.
Even Jesus stepped away to rest. He withdrew from the crowds. He paused. He knew that constant busyness drains us — physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
This season has been full — full of joy, full of people, full of noise, and yes… full of snacks. And while I’m grateful for all of it, I’m also learning that it’s okay to slow down. It’s okay to rest. It’s okay if everything isn’t perfect before the calendar flips to January 1st.
God meets us not just in the big celebrations, but in the quiet, tired moments too — even in the middle of a head-bob at work or a living room covered in Christmas chaos.
So if you find yourself tired this week — physically, mentally, or spiritually — know that you’re not alone. Take a moment. Breathe. Stretch. Rest when you can. And remember that God isn’t asking you to do it all… He’s inviting you to trust Him in the middle of it.
📖 Scripture for This Week
Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
🙏 Closing Prayer
Lord, You see our tired bodies and busy minds. You know how full our lives can be, even when the celebrations are over. Help us remember that rest is a gift, not a weakness. Teach us to slow down, trust You, and care for ourselves as we move into a new year. Thank You for meeting us in the middle of the mess — and even in our exhaustion. Amen.
Moments of Devotion 
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