Embracing Rest & Relationships During the Holidays with Melissa Spoelstra

Raising Mentally Healthy Kids with Michelle Nietert

The holiday season often brings festive activities and get-togethers for many, but it also means that finding time to rest can pose as a challenge. Join Michelle Nietert as she speaks with author and sister, Melissa Spoelstra of Total Family Makeover, on what Scripture says about rest and what restorative activities may look like for you and your family, especially during the busy holiday season.

Melissa explores what true rest may look like for families and how modeling restorative activities for your children can impact not only them, but the entire family as well. More importantly, she places importance on finding rest in your relationship with Jesus and how he modeled that for us. Jesus took time to rest during his ministry and so should you!

Notes from the show:

Why is rest so important? What does it look like in your family? Rest often gets the most pushback from children—but it's essential to create that margin that works for your family to allow your soul to be restored through rest.

God took the last day to rest when he created the world—he modeled rest for us! The fourth commandment also told us to take Sabbath. Jesus was never racing from one thing to another and had a relaxed attitude toward life. Even though we're not bound to Sabbath by law since Jesus fulfilled the Sabbath, it's still important to take time to rest.

We need to value rest in a culture that values productivity. Don't confuse rest with leisure. Ask yourself, does my soul feel restored? Is it just escape or truly restful? Find what works!

Proverbs 14:30 states a relaxed attitude lengthens life!

Questions explored:

Does this activity draw me closer to the Lord or further?

How does this leave my mind, body, soul, and spirit at the end of it?

Did it produce anything? True rest doesn't produce anything but solely resting.

What are you modeling for your child?

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