How to Model Spiritual Rest for Your Grandchildren

Written by Elaine McAllister, Author and Friend of Legacy Coalition

Before the feeding of the 5,000, the apostles were attempting to talk to Jesus and tell him what they’d been doing. But, it was useless. There were too many people around; too much commotion and too many interruptions. So, what did Jesus do? In Mark’s account (6:31), Jesus suggests they get away from the crowds to a quiet place.

Ahhhh! Imagine Jesus taking you by the hand and inviting you to come along. To just slow down and breathe deeply. He wants us to let go of the noise, confusion, and distractions. To just press the “pause” button on life and relax.

Sounds good. Right?

It makes me think of the Sherpas who serve as guides for climbers in the Himalayan Mountains. They lead adventurous climbers, carrying their heavy equipment up the rugged mountainsides. They serve as escorts, encouraging novice climbers over and over again.

But at some spot in the climb, the Sherpas stop unexpectedly. No explanation. They simply put down their heavy loads as if they’re waiting for someone or something. And, they simply rest.

When the Sherpas are asked why they stop, their answer is simple: “We are waiting for our souls to catch up with our bodies,” they say.

Oh, my goodness! We Westerners are an impatient bunch, aren’t we? Our culture almost demands we keep going and going. We have a “GIT-R-DONE” mentality and are driven by ‘to-do’ lists and dates on our calendars. We make lists, check things off, and then add to our lists. Our minds race ahead at a swift pace, urging our bodies to keep up. No wonder we feel scattered, shattered, and disconnected. 

We GO until there’s no GO left. We are depleted, fatigued, and spent. We desperately need balance and wholeness. We yearn for time to renew and refresh; to rest and reflect. 

Jesus knew his followers weren’t created for this, so he basically said to them, “Come with me and chill!”

Our souls operate at a God-given tempo – slow and deliberate. Perhaps we should learn from the Sherpas and wait for our souls to catch up with our bodies.

Oh, Creative Creator!
We thank you for your patience. 
Help us reflect on you as we wait for our souls. 
Bless us as we serve you in our homes, families, and world.
We love you, Lord. 
Amen.

Editor’s Note: May we continue to model Jesus to our families. One way is to draw away from the busyness of life by pressing pause on activity. May our grandchildren see us taking time to ‘be still and know that I am God.” [Psalm 46:10]

We tend to plan out our days when the grandkids visit. We cram them full of one activity after another. Let us not forget to plan downtime – time to let our souls catch up with our bodies. Some things you could consider are snuggling together while listening to praise music. Sitting outside to observe the sunset -quiet and still – just taking in the awe and wonder of our Creator. Swinging on the porch swing, legs dangling in the air while enjoying the birds singing, is a favorite of ours. What are some things that come to mind for you?

Disagreement or grumpiness being displayed by your grandchild or even you is a telltale sign that a break is due. Watch for those warnings and heed them. Give your grandchild and yourself time to rest, renew, and refresh. 

May they witness us also taking time to feed our souls. May we share what that looks like for us. May we be willing to be vulnerable to express those times when we did not take time and suffered negative consequences.

Help your grandchildren see the need along with ways to place those boundaries – those guard rails in their life even now. As they grow and face more pressure on the use of their time, may they learn the importance of allowing their souls to catch up with their bodies.