Learning to the work at my leisure

The past couple of days, I have come to a few realizations about myself.  This isn't really "learning" about yourself-- you know these things on some level.  But I have had two "Oh, I get it" moments.

The first is that I am perceived as being very naive. Now, I have known my family believed this about me from of old.  It has been a constant source of good-natured teasing.  But apparently some of my friends believe this too (you know who you are).  Somehow this surprised me.  I only wish I were as unworldly as I apparently appear!

The second is that I am a do-er, a person who likes to keep busy and get things accomplished.  Those of you who know me well might respond to this "revelation" in the same way I responded to my eldest son when, two or three years into college, he announced, "Mom, I think I might be good at languages."  I slapped my head and said, "Well, duh!  I have been telling you that since you were five!"  But seriously, life as a lady of leisure simply doesn't agree with my inclinations.  Nevertheless, God has placed me in a season when, without rest in the middle of the day, I cannot sleep at night, I cannot function during the day, and I am a horrid human being.  So my real revelation is that I have to think about my time of rest differently if I am going to survive it and thrive, and if those around me are going to be able to tolerate me.

This morning I read the "The Top 10 Things I've Learned from Living with Chronic Illness," written by a young fellow with rheumatoid arthritis.  I think my list would look a little different than his, but his first point says in part:

1. Getting all of the rest that I need does not make me lazy. Even when I’m not moving, my body is expending a huge amount of energy on powering its overactive immune system, and on defending itself from the subsequent pain and inflammation. - See more at: http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/2011/11/10-things-ive-learned-from-living-with-chronic-illness/#sthash.aW293KwO.dpuf

Getting all of the rest that I need does not make me lazy. Even when I’m not moving, my body is expending a huge amount of energy on powering its overactive immune system, and on defending itself from the subsequent pain and inflammation.

That provided a light bulb moment: that really is what I am doing!  I am allowing my body to fight the disease process at work in me.  What may look lazy on the outside is utterly important to me on the inside, and thus important for me to embrace for this season.  And since I have this disease, I can rest knowing God intends me to "do" ithe best resting I can. 

So, I continue, as I am sure you do, Gentle Reader, to look for God;'s blessings, and to understand the person He has made me and what He wants me to do with her in the precious time available to me.  May we both keep learning.

1. Getting all of the rest that I need does not make me lazy. Even when I’m not moving, my body is expending a huge amount of energy on powering its overactive immune system, and on defending itself from the subsequent pain and inflammation. - See more at: http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/2011/11/10-things-ive-learned-from-living-with-chronic-illness/#sthash.aW293KwO.dpuf

1. Getting all of the rest that I need does not make me lazy. Even when I’m not moving, my body is expending a huge amount of energy on powering its overactive immune system, and on defending itself from the subsequent pain and inflammation. - See more at: http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/2011/11/10-things-ive-learned-from-living-with-chronic-illness/#sthash.aW293KwO.dpuf