What was I thinking!?! Several days ago, my sweet daughter asked if she could have a sleepover. We set a date and agreed that she could indeed have some friends over to spend the night.

Yesterday was the day. Her little friends came armed with sleeping bags, packs of clothes and silly grins, giggles and whispers about what a wonderful evening they were going to have. I wasn't at all sure I shared their enthusiasm, but had already agreed to the sleepover. I did my best to act thrilled that they were here and to be hospitable.

I questioned myself and my lack of enthusiasm at their presence. Was I just tired? Partially. The week was filled with several ups and down. Normal life, but wearing nonetheless. I longed for solitude. Yes, that was the cause of my hesitancy. I longed for peace and simple solitude.

The girls continued their sleepover with numerous rounds of giggles, a movie, pizza and of course more giggles to top the evening off. Just when I thought they would never settle down, they collapsed on their pillows and talked in muted whispers. I could finally settle into bed.

I promptly went to bed after tucking everyone in and was awakened a short time later by my husband's rustling in the sheets. He had just returned from the "girl zone" where he'd had to get after them for all their giggling and sleeplessness. It seems while I was resting, they were happily playing and laughing. This would have been an expected thing.........had it not been at 1 a.m.!  My husband assured me that he had quitened them down and we all went to sleep.

I awoke late and attempted to lift my aching head off of the pillow. No. It would not budge. It was too heavy. The need to use the restroom won out and I had to get up and pray the pounding would stop. My throat was tight and ached from sleeping so hard.

As I made my way to the restroom, I carefully stepped over the debris from the sleepover...............sleeping bags strewn throughout the living room...........a pair of pillows that had been unknowingly been walked on by giggling girls............and a small quilt I had made for my daughter to use to cover her beloved stuffed animals.

After walking back through the sleepover debris, I found my way to the coffee. Ahhhhhhhhh...........coffee! Hot and steamy, it would definitely help ease the achiness in my throat. The warm liquid slid gently and effortlessly down my throat, soothing the sore spots and comforting my headache.

Somehow I managed to wake up and get the living room back into some sort of semblance. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the living room come back to life as they filed into it after eating their breakfasts. The girls collected their sleeping bags, pillows and things and managed not to giggle hysterically while doing it. I was amazed.

As the girls left, carrying their things home, my husband realized that I needed a time of peace. He put my eldest son in charge of the house, told me to get dressed and ready to go and went to start the van and get it cooled down for me.

I quickly dressed and my youngest son brought me my tennis shoes and socks. I thanked him and proceeded to finish dressing by putting on my tennis shoes. He wandered off to his room and I picked up my cell phone and headed out the door, telling the kids as I went to be sure to call my cell phone or their dad's, if they needed us. We wouldn't be gone too long.

As I swung the door open and crawled into the cool van seat, my husband informed me that he had to check on a job he was doing and then we would go for a drive.

We went to the jobsite and he got out and talked to the homeowner. While they talked, I dug through a backpack I had brought. It was loaded with books I wanted to finish reading and a word puzzle book. I occasionally work on them to relax. I quickly pulled it out and opened it to a puzzle that was just waiting for me to start on it. Soon my husband returned and was ready to go.

As I set my puzzle book aside, I mentally tried to figure out where he was taking me. I knew we were going to the bank, but what other adventures lay ahead for me? I was anxious to find out. I wouldn't have to wait long to discover His plan.

As we drove towards the bank, we both noticed a small bright orange sign in front of a house. Garage Sale! As my husband quickly circled the block, my mind started whirling. What wonderful treasures would we find?

We parked the van and walked toward the house. I had just mentioned to my husband the church's need for a baby's changing table. Lo and behold, there was one in front of me. A solid wood changing table with a sticker price of five dollars.

Hm...what's wrong with it, I wondered. I reached out and gave it a little shake. Nope, no movement, no wobbling. I asked the young man sitting outside of his home, what was wrong with it. He smiled and said, "I was blessed with it. It was given to me for nothing and I felt like I should bless someone else with it as cheap as I could."

My jaw fell. I had certainly not anticipated that answer. My face grew flush with embarrassment. I had learned to keep my guard up and to expect others to take advantage of me. Someone actually trying to bless his fellow man had not even crossed my mind. Once again the Lord had to remind me that He was in control and He was providing for us. He also reminded me that He has people all over the world who are truly good people that would not take advantage of others.

After paying for my newfound treasures, I loaded them quickly into the van and we headed off to the bank. My husband went in while I sat contentedly in the van, working on my puzzle book and whiling away my time as I searched for what appeared to be a growing number of words.

Suddenly he appeared and we were off again. After several more stops, we headed home with quite a few new goodies to decorate our home and bless our family with.

As we pulled into the driveway, we saw our little girl with her friend swinging on the swing. They were giggling and talking. I realized I was ready to be home. I was ready to enjoy them and their laughter and silly antics. I also was ready to rest from my morning's activities.

Inside the kids tore through their goodies and I sorted through things we'd found for our home. As I sorted and washed and put away, I realized the importance of resting. Sometimes He just longs for us to rest in Him. I am always so busy with the daily activities that I forget to rest.

There is laundry to do, dishes to wash, clothes to hang, floors to scrub and our spirits that need to rest and refresh themselves in Him. In our busy world of running and going and doing, we often overlook one of the most important things. That's our need to rest in the Father and to refresh ourselves in Him.

As I stood there and watched the girls from the front door, they were lost in play in the yard. They did not notice my presence at the door. I watched them as they played and giggled and sat on the swing talking, oblivious to problems and to-do lists. Their swinging and laughter reminded me that I, too, need to just relax and play sometimes. 

I suppose you could say that my daughter and I were both blessed this weekend by her overnight company.

Whatever you do this weekend (or don't do), remember to rest and refresh yourself in Christ.  

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