Rest…. This is one of my all-time favorite words! Did you know that rest is reflected in the Bible as a gift from God, not only spiritually, but physically too. God worked for six days to create the universe, then He rested (Exodus 20:11).

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The Blessing of Simplicity

I tell you, friend, we are blessed to have the freedoms we have in America, and to have the ability to work hard for our desires, also, having the option to live simply. Sometimes, I really believe the latter is the better of the two – in that a simple life (it seems) allows for more time to sit, relax, enjoy and focus on what matters most, family.

This is me being transparent, y’all, it’s not easy to admit I do sometimes dream about what my husband wanted for our family in the beginning…. a simple life.

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Busyness and Calling

I thrived on busyness and wanted success in the workforce – to which I will say I have no regrets about, and I believe in my heart this is the path, my path for the glory of the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:31).

However, my husband’s wish was for me to stay at home, take care of the kids and us raise our little family together without the added stress, having to juggle multiple roles and responsibilities throughout our days.

Let me add that I have many friends who are stay-at-home mamas, and those women work their fannies off for their precious children – such a commendable job to be very proud of. My husband’s wish was most certainly not in vain, and he has been extremely supportive through the years, allowing me, encouraging me to chase my dreams. I’m thankful for that.

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A Love for Family Values

Traditionally speaking, “Little House on the Prairie” is one of my favorite television shows because of the blessing of “the good ol’ days” where family values and strong bonds were ever-so cherished and kept. Faith was truly at the center of the lives of those characters and their wholesome behaviors always drew me in.

I think what touches me most about that kind of lifestyle is the simplicity and intentionality it carried. Families worked together, ate together, worshiped together, and relied on one another through every season of life. There was a strong sense of unity and purpose that today’s busy, fast-paced culture often seems to overlook. Those values—faith, hard work, gratitude, love, and respect—are not just nostalgic ideals from a TV show, they’re biblical principles God gave us to build strong homes (Deuteronomy 6:6–7).

When I reflect on “the good ol’ days,” it makes me want to be even more intentional about weaving those values into my own family life. No matter how busy or distracted the world around us becomes, I believe it’s still possible to create a home filled with love, faith, and lasting connection.

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Lessons from My Parents

Here’s the truth – I get my burning desire for success honestly, as my parents were both worker bees, always needing to be productive in some way, form or fashion. Dad working in the yard on the weekends after a long work week, and mama keeping our house spotless in her “off-time”, when she wasn’t working, or running my brother and I here and there – this is how I grew up. Both mom and dad took much pride in everything we had.

You know, things lasted many years because of the work discipline my parents had – a testament to taking care of what the Lord blesses us with (1 Peter 4:10). These teachings are ones I pray will resonate with my own children through the years and especially when they are older. Mom and dad instilled in Adam and me the importance of productivity, and there is much gratitude in that.

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The Balance of Rest and Work

For me personally, my life at the moment can have a tendency to be so busy, the calendar packed with responsibilities and events (most being fun activities, but activities none-the-less), that if I don’t take the time I need to rest, I will not only be totally un-productive, but lose my zest, my enthusiasm to be successful in all God has tasked me with (Matthew 11:28).

It’s hard for us to take time for ourselves. Why is it that guilt comes with a thought of, “I just want to be quiet today, no talking, no real responsibilities, just pure relaxation?”

So often, we tie our worth to our productivity. We feel like if we aren’t doing something tangible—whether that’s working, cleaning, serving, or pouring into others—we aren’t “enough.” But the truth is, God never intended for us to live that way. He calls us to seasons of work and seasons of rest. Rest isn’t laziness—it’s obedience. When we allow ourselves to pause, we’re actually trusting God to handle the things we feel pressured to control. Rest realigns our hearts, refreshes our minds, and reminds us that our value doesn’t come from constant activity but from being His beloved child.

Don’t allow yourself to get worn out because you’re not resting – this is yet another tool of the enemy to keep us from living out God’s plan in our lives. I believe we are meant to be successful in all we do, whether it’s at a job, or at home, parenting, being the best spouse, we can be, etc., but balancing rest and relaxation with striving to be great is of utmost importance! God rested, and so can we!

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A Final Word

This was a message short and sweet, now, I’m going to go rest and I hope you can too!

Enjoy the additional encouragement in song. Click the link to hear the song pertaining to this week’s message of hope: Rest by Leanna Crawford