You Can't Run On An Empty Tank

By: Jenifer Metzger

We have all seen a car stranded on the side of the road after running out of gas. Maybe you've even been the driver of that car. A car cannot and will not run with an empty tank. It is impossible. You must fill the gas tank before moving on. Sister, you cannot run on an empty tank either.

When a car's gas tank is empty, it sputters a moment before dying. When our tank is empty, we sputter too. Our sputter comes in many forms.

Sickness
When someone in our family gets sick, that is one of the first things I think of, are we overworked. When we just keep going and going and going and going, our bodies do not get the physical rest they need. Often the outward sign of that is sickness. Our physical bodies are designed for rest.

Moodiness
When I am overly tired I get moody. I begin to snap at people for no apparent reason and let even the smallest of things get to me. Once I have rested, I don't feel moody and I can handle what is thrown at me.

Whiny
When my kids were little, I knew the time of day just by their attitudes. When it was close to naptime, they were whiny. If we had done a lot of running around with errands and such, after awhile, they were whiny. They were ready to lay down and rest their bodies and minds to refuel.

Exhausted
Have you ever been sitting there working on a project or watching tv and you can feel yourself shutting down? You feel sleep coming over you even though you are busy and it is not time for bed. It is your body saying, "Hey! I need to rest!" Once we've refueled, we are ready to finish.

Pulling back on relationships
Your husband wants an intimate moment with you but you refuse because you just too tired. Your kids want your help, a story, or to show you their latest creation, but you say no or give a half-hearted yes because you are exhausted. When rested, we gladly give are all. Tired, we fail.

When we feel our self starting to sputter, we need to fill our tank. You cannot be the best you, the most effective you, when you are tired.

Here are ten ways to refuel:
• Go to bed thirty minutes earlier than normal. Everything can wait until tomorrow, you need rest.
• Take a relaxing bath or long shower.
• Spend thirty minutes reading for fun.
• Sit outside in the sun and just relax.
• Do something you love.
• Go on a date and reconnect with your husband.
• Play with your kids.
• Go get coffee with a friend.
• If you have little ones, swap days with another mom of littles. Let her watch your kids for the day while you refuel and you watch her kids another day while she refuels.
• And the absolutely most important, spend time with the Father.

Come to me, all of you who are weary

and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

Discussion:
1) What is your body's way of telling you that you need more rest?
2) What helps you rest the best?