About the Author

Mary is a writer and speaker who lives for good books, spicy queso, and television marathons – but lives because of God’s grace. She writes about giving up on perfect and finding truth in unexpected places at MaryCarver.com. Mary and her husband live in Kansas City with their two daughters.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. I’m returning home from the beach this morning.. I can soo relate to your reflection here you have written Mary. Thank you!!

  2. My daughter consistently reminds me that I am retired and can take my time to do things. I also had a wise woman for a boss years ago that told me that it was ok to take off the cape, fold it up and put it in the drawer and that I did not have to be supermom. It is so hard to do even at my age. But I am trying. I now begin my day, after some coffee of course, by reading scripture and (in)courage, etc. I have also started doing yoga, again, for 30 minutes each morning. And I am trying to say no to requests which is really hard. Prioritizing and lists are a must. I won’t lie that is always works but it is a start. Guilt has a way of gnawing at me that I should be doing more. So I get what you are saying and appreciate being remind that even Jesus rested. Now to attack the weeds in the garden!

  3. Quiet time.
    I sure could use some prayers to if you would. :'(

  4. Thank you for this. Even in retirement, I often feel I need to have a to-do list and keep busy. A couple years ago my sister was flooded out of her apartment which resulted in an immediate need to find her temporary housing and, eventually, a move to assisted living. She was a hoarder and cleaning out her was a nightmare. We live out of state, so this took several trips back and forth. On the final day of cleaning out her apartment, I couldn’t get out of bed. I was so dizzy and exhausted, had hardly slept in several weeks. Then I was overwhelmed with guilt over my husband needing to finish up alone. As I look back, my biggest mistake was not relying on God and realizing that the exhaustion was his way of forcing me to let it go. The experience has helped me to put things in his hands, but I’m still a work in progress.

  5. Mary thank you so much for this reading. It has really spoke to me. I not good at resting. I am the type of person feels that I have to do it. They need me. Like for my elderly Dad. Who I do his House for him. As he not able to do it. Resting or taking a break from doing his House. I feel I can’t as my Dad needs me. People have said to me loads of times. Dawn you need your rest. You need to think of your health. I suffer from seizures. You can’t go on Monday to Friday doing your Dad’s House. You need to rest. I have an answer for them. But my Dad needs me. He can’t do it. But my Sister’s can do for the time being when I not there for a few days. When I away on Holiday or just of to rest. God through my Husband and very good friend has told me the same thing. Or you will be no good to your Dad. My sister’s go see our Dad my Dad at night. I go during the day to his House. They then do whatever needs doing at night. Make Dad his tea as well. So today’s reading has really spoke to me. I need to rest more. Even when I am in my own House I never stop. I have to keep going if something needs done in my House I do it. Rather than leave it. The only way to get me to switch off and rest. Is a few days away from everything even my Dad’s. So thank you for the reading. God is speaking to me. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little Enniskillen Co.Fermanagh N.Ireland. Xx

  6. Thank you Mary. I love to garden and springtime is the best! It drives my husband crazy because I go, go, go and don’t rest.
    But, at my defense, I’ve been looking for a job with ZERO responses ZERO! I have never had such a difficult time looking for a job. I submit my resume. A few days later I pop into the leasing office I’ve applied for and introduce myself. I’m old fashion in that aspect…match a face with work experience on paper. Thank you and smiles….then again nothing. So I go back to working in my yard. Lately, I’ve realized God’s plan obviously isn’t my plan. He wants me home. He has blessed me with a yard of flowers and weeds, trees and grass to water. He knows I love it. He also knows I need to be available for my husband’s dr appts. To help him. I’ve finally let go and let God. I’m resting pulling weeds and trimming flowers \0/

    • Janet, I can see how doing yard work and seeing tangible results from your efforts is therapeutic in a time when you’re not getting answers as you search for a job. Praying God provides both a job and peace of mind for you!

  7. Mary……Thank you for this story. I just got off the phone with a good friend and we were talking about being so tired, but we also had so much to do, we didn’t have time to even take a breath. I will have to call her back and tell her it is OK with God to take our rest. I am 76 years old and living in a Senior Living Community. You would not think there is much to do, but there is many people here that aren’t happy with anything. I am going to get my mew Bible out after lunch and read the scriptures that you gave to us. Mary, this is exactly what I needed today as I have been in a very difficult situation for the past 5 years. It is still not settled, seems to finally be moving along. Have a great day and Bless those Children. My son has abandoned me.
    Betsy Basile

    • Yes! Call your friend and share God’s gift of rest with her! And then I pray you can receive it as well. I also pray that He will comfort you and guide you in the situation with your son.

  8. Janet, I can see how doing yard work and seeing tangible results from your efforts is therapeutic in a time when you’re not getting answers as you search for a job. Praying God provides both a job and peace of mind for you!

  9. Mary,,

    Lysa Terkeurst said it best in her book Your Best Yes. “Saying yes to everyone and everything won’t make you wonder woman. It will make you a worn out woman with nothing left to give.” God rested from all his work of creation. If God himself needed to rest then how much more do we humans need it? He designed rest for all parts of the human body: physical, mental, emotional, social, sensory, creative, and spiritual. We need all of these to feel calm & relaxed.

    I rest by listening to Bible Gateway read the Bible, sitting on the couch watching tv, or taking a nap..

    Blessings 🙂