Rest- a word we intellectually know what it means, but we struggle to put into practice in the busyness of life.  Rest- a word that according to Google means, “to cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength”   Free Dictionary defines rest as, ” Peace, ease, or refreshment resulting from sleep or the cessation of an activity”.  Whatever words we use to define rest, the bottom line is that most of us need a whole lot more of it!

During a networking lunch at the Spiritual Directors International conference, a woman shared how she defined rest, and it is her definition that we will look at for our series.  This beautiful woman (whose name I cannot remember, but whose story about R.E.S.T. I can) shared this definition:

R-ewnewing

E-energy in

S-pirit

T-ime

This is the R.E.S.T. I seek!  R.E.S.T. that fills the soul, nurtures the deepest places of my being, and rejuvenates and soothes the tired places within me.

Over the next few weeks, I hope to share ways that we can realistically incorporate the Ritual of R.E.S.T.  into our lives!  I hope you will join me as we seek together how to renew energy in spirit time!

Becky Eldredge

Becky is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and writer. She is the author of the Busy Lives and Restless Souls (March 2017, Loyola Press) and The Inner Chapel (April 2020, Loyola Press). She helps others create space to connect faith and everyday life through facilitating retreats and days of reflection, through writing, and through spiritual direction. With nearly twenty years of ministry experience within the Catholic Church, Becky seeks to help others discover God at work in the every day moments of people’s lives by utilizing St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and the many gifts that our Catholic faith and Ignatian Spirituality provide.