After over four hours of playing a grueling tennis match in Wimbledon yesterday, the winner, Cameron Norrie, lay down on the court, clearly spent. There are busy, challenging times in all of our lives and times when we need to take a break.

Do you recognise when you are burnt out or do you keep going until you collapse? You might think I know nothing about this, as I spend most of my days sitting anyway. My physio gave me advice that I secretly thought was crazy. He said as I got ready in the morning I should take regular rests between every morning task. If I did that, the day would be over before it had begun! But it is important to recognise that one challenge might be nothing to one person, but huge to someone else. Another call for empathy. 

I love telling other people to have a rest because they might end up sitting beside lonely me! But I see the crucial need to take a break. It is wonderful what you see when you make yourself stop. It might give you the time to hug someone you had rushed past days ago, or recognise the beautiful view you had missed before.

Psalm 23 talks about being led by still waters and made to lie down in green pastures. You should read it sometime. I remember walking by mirror-like waters in Donegal years ago. The peace of that has never left me. Do you have a memory like that? Sit down, close your eyes and let the peace of it fall on you.

If you feel harried, out of breath or just plain worn out for whatever reason, think about still waters and let them flow beside you. There’s no need to run after them. They will come to you. ❤️