Whether one chooses the term ministry or work, I had a busy week. I count both my work inside and outside the home as ministry. While I have to prioritize how I invest my time, I believe all parts of my life are sacred to God. 

During this week, however, all my responsibilities are outweighing my need to rest. So when I got an offer to participate in yet another good opportunity, I said no. Sometimes good isn’t best. I can’t balance life, work, or anything well if I don’t have rest. Rest makes me capable of handling all my responsibilities with a healthy, renewed body and mind. Rest is a responsibility. It’s important for me to know this, because as a mother working overseas, the lines dividing life responsibilities vs. work responsibilities often blur. While it can feel complicated, I think it’s okay this happens.  

It’s encouraging to know every part of my existence—whether it’s labeled rest, work, daily life, or ministry—is sacred to God. That means I can confidently say to others that every part of their lives also matters to God, whether days are spent tending rice fields, teaching English, or learning fifth grade math. That means genuine rest is also a vital part of life and work. It’s a God-given, holy, and necessary part of my existence. In rest, I learn and grow just as much as when I’m working. When it comes to balancing work and rest, I ask God to help me set priorities and make decisions to support them. Then I simply live, trusting Him to help me navigate every blessing and hardship, every misstep and success. 

In my expat life, Jesus gives me endless grace as I learn to balance work and rest. From His grace, I can share real hope with others that He is present in all of life’s responsibilities. He values the rest and work of His children as they serve in their own corners of the world. He uses them to draw us closer to Him and demonstrate His love to humanity.