The Importance of Rest and Relaxation

So I have been known to "stalk" a few pastors blogs. Mostly because I am always looking for things to share with Marc, and partly just because I am curious. Also I have been known for hanging out with more men then women. Mostly when I was younger, something my mom passed along to me, and that I apparently have passed on to my youngest daughter. Not that I don't love my girlfriends , I just happen to love listening in on the conversations men have. But I digress (lol). While surfing the net the one thing I have picked up on from listening to pastors and preachers is the importance of some downtime. Many pastors today spend a lot of time in service on the weekend (sometime preaching 7-8 times) pouring into their congregation then on Monday they crash and burn ( only to have to start the process all over again). Contrary to popular opinion many men of God are not making an outrageous amount of money (and they still have to take care of their family). Many still work at other jobs, and many work for free! Several pastors have talked about men of God who have just quit. I can't imagine what this does to someone when he/she gives up on their calling from God ( another reason you have to have a personal relationship with God, and not just talk about him). Those of us who are the wives of these men see how much they love their congregations and how much they are willing to sacrifice because they love them. Some even sacrifice their family time in order to serve. I don't think this is what God is calling us to do, so its very important that we "balance" our church life along with our personal life ( and yes, Pastors do have a personal life people). So on that note, I try to "create" opportunities for Marc to just rest and relax ( he would not necessarily do it on his own ). Thankfully yesterday he was receptive to what ever we planned for him (and after two days of some serious preaching and teaching, it was a must) so after service, dinner at IHOP and small break at home we headed to our friends home to just sit by the pool, and chill. I don't know that he would have done this on his own, but by the end of the evening I knew it was worth it. He looked relaxed, rejuvenated and ready to start all over again.