Sometime during my first year in Haiti, my husband and I took a day trip to a local beach resort- a place with the most beautiful quiet waters. Living full-time at an orphanage of 60+ kids, it was rare that we gave ourselves a day off. But this day was an exception. A much-needed break from the chaos that was now our new normal.

When the day was done, I did what any other Millennial would do and posted a picture of us at the beach on Facebook. Holding hands. In the sand. It was cute. Big mistake. Within the hour I had received an email from a concerned supporter. “You may not want to share pictures like this,” she said. “It may give your sponsors the idea that you are using their money to play rather than work.”

It took everything in me not to push “reply” immediately and share my highly emotional reaction to her concerned construction. Deep down, I knew my words would hurt, not help the situation. So instead, I set my computer aside and tried my best to forget about it.

Rather than forget, however, that one email took root in my unconscious. From then on, I refused to rest, let alone take a whole day off. Just the thought of taking any time for myself or my marriage filled me with anxiety and guilt. I was sent here to work, not play were the constant words that played in my mind.

We live in a world today that glorifies hard work and minimizes the need to rest and refresh. And unfortunately, this way of living has bled over into the lives of so many Christians as well. How quickly we forget the meaning behind some of the most memorized scriptures in the Bible. God, Himself, leads us into rest so He can restore us (Psalm 23:2-3). He doesn’t just want us to rest, He takes our hand and guides us there. 

No matter where you work globally, we all need time to rest, refresh, and even play. And we should never be ashamed of this. Rather, we should praise God for these special moments, and be an example to others to do the same. So today, I encourage you to plan your next day off. A day to meet God beside the quiet waters.