5.17.23

One of the benefits of being a coach is getting the schedule of the higher education system. For example: fall break, where a random Thursday and Friday become off days for students. This past year, our fall break came in late October, on the tail end of arguably the most rigorous stint of the year for a college lacrosse coach. September and October can feel like a whirlwind – fall practices, recruiting visits, prospect camps, alumni weekend, official visit weekend, and more. By the end of October, I was exhausted – physically and mentally. We all have those phases throughout the year. So early in the morning on the Friday of our fall break, I drove three hours north of Milwaukee to Door County (Wisconsin’s take on Cape Cod). I went by myself with my phone on airplane mode so no one could reach me. I was in need of rest.

Door County has several bays with little towns nestled up against the shoreline. I started at the furthest bay north and worked my way down the coastline to each bay. By about noon I reached the little town of Ephraim and sat down on a park bench on a hill overlooking the bay. Sitting on that bench it hit me that I don’t have any requirements or obligations the rest of the day. I was so tired I decided to put my hood up and lie down on the bench. It was a cool fall day, but the sun was out and hit my face perfectly as my head rested on the side rail. I fell asleep. Best nap I’ve ever taken – on a park bench with people all around me. I woke up about an hour later and immediately laughed just thinking about how ridiculous I must have looked, but I had a full cycle of REM sleep in the books and couldn’t have been happier.

On my drive back to Milwaukee, I was thinking about the importance of rest and these bible verses came to mind, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). On that drive, God tapped me on the shoulder to remind me that true rest isn’t found in a nap on a park bench but is found in spending time with him. I pulled into my garage with a peace and contentment only God can provide. It was a good day.

Door County trips may come only once or twice a year, but the presence of God is offered to us in the middle of our busiest days and through the fiercest storms life can bring. God, thanks for naps and for sending us Jesus to give the rest my weary heart often needs.