As I contemplate rest, I wanted to consider getting up from rest.  This painting is from a photo I took of one of my sons when he was not getting up very well.  Do teenagers have massive growth spurts or lots of stress requiring so much rest?  Are they asserting independence, staking out their own schedules?  Whatever is going on, it is something to behold.  Taking the photo, I admit, was intrusive, but I'm grateful for the documentation.  At some point during his teen years, I determined not to be his alarm clock anymore.  My sons are adults now and have had to get up at all hours to attend to their own parental and work responsibilities.  Waking up and getting up are amazing gifts with a wide variety of challenges at every phase of our lives.  I like to get up especially after some good rest.

     Rest can be challenging at times.  This man is looking at a newspaper's job postings.  Looking for a job is stressful.   As I painted this picture (from a photo I took a long time ago), I thought that he could have been looking at the obituaries, or current events, or the opinion page.  Each section could carry personal stress for him.  Stress can disturb rest.  Stress and disturbances are part of life.  Sometimes there's a lot.  
     I have to experience life with its griefs, needs, and conflicts.  Sometimes my sleep is disturbed.  I hope I can have compassion and patience as I walk through those times.  Talking, listening, writing, painting, praying, doodling, walking, moving my body and listening to music can help me gain perspective and de-stress.  I may have to wait through the disturbance to be able to rest well again.  I may have to search my heart and ask if there's anything I can do.  I can meditate on the serenity prayer, "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference."