The Joys of Rest

The Joys of Rest

by Jennifer Revill, TLC Communications Coordinator

Spiritual directors—all deep listeners, in fact—occupy a sacred and tender place in the world. We are called to be present, to listen with openness, and to walk beside others through the unfolding of their lives.

We sit with people in seasons of grief, trauma, loneliness, betrayal, uncertainty, and shame. We hold silence, and bear witness to stories that remain open, and questions with no easy answers. Again and again, we create space for others to encounter God amid life’s depths. We also witness moments of profound joy, healing, and awakening, stories of consolation and answered prayer. We see people discover hope, clarity, and grace in transformative ways.

This is holy work. It is also demanding work. To accompany another faithfully asks us to set aside our own responses and emotions in order to fully attend to the experience of another. Over time, what is heard, witnessed, and held can accumulate within the body and spirit. Compassionate presence draws deeply on one’s inner resources. We find ourselves with lingering echoes of others’ emotions, and can feel a weariness that manifests in our physical, emotional, and spiritual selves.

Time for self-care is essential, as well as a chance to rest in the care of God. That rest will look different for each person, but the invitation is universal.

Tricia Hersey, founder of The Nap Ministry, suggests that there are four basic tenets of rest that we should consider:

1. That rest is a form of resistance.
2. That our bodies can be a site of liberation.
3. That naps provide a portal to imagine, invent and heal.
4. That our “dream space” has been stolen by culture, and we want it back.
   

The grace of rest may come to us through time in nature, creative expression, Sabbath, prayer, quiet moments with those you love, or peaceful time in solitude. Or even, simply, through much-needed, blessed sleep.

Resting in our own beloved-ness is not optional; it is foundational. Spiritual directors need to remember that we, too, are held within the same compassionate presence that we offer to others. The wisdom and care we extend do not originate solely from our strengths, nor are they meant to be sustained by it alone.

May your spirit be nourished and restored as you seek deep rest in places within our fast-paced culture. And may you know yourself continually held by the One who loves you fully and without condition.