About the Book:

Staying busy is easy. Staying well rested- there’s a challenge.

How can you keep your energy, happiness, creativity, and relationships fresh and thriving in the midst of never-ending family demands, career pressures, and the stress of everyday life? In Sacred Rest, Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a board-certified internal medicine doctor, reveals why rest can no longer remain optional.

Dr. Dalton-Smith shares seven types of rest she has found lacking in the lives of those she encounters in her clinical practice and research-physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, sensory, social, creative-and why a deficiency in any one of these types of rest can have unfavorable effects on your health, happiness, relationships, creativity, and productivity. Sacred Rest combines the science of rest, the spirituality of rest, the gifts of rest, and the resulting fruit of rest. It shows rest as something sacred, valuable, and worthy of our respect.

By combining scientific research with personal stories, spiritual insight, and practical next steps, Sacred Rest gives the weary permission to embrace rest, set boundaries, and seek sanctuary without any guilt, shame, or fear.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

My Review:

Rest. I never seem to get enough…and I can’t be the only one. I try to cope the best I can. I go to bed earlier, wake up later, nap in the afternoon, drink coffee…and more coffee. I’m still tired and never could figure out why. The first thing the author establishes is the difference between rest and sleep. What I long for is not found in a good night sleep. It’s much deeper and satisfying. I long for the peaceful rest found in the confidence in God’s goodness.

This 30 day devotion does not offer any magical formulas or secret tips to this peace. It does lead you gently to discovery. I enjoyed the short daily readings and found myself relaxing as soon as I opened the book each evening. Using examples from her own medical practice, the author, gives concrete advice with gentle reminders that the process is not easy. Often the process will be quite difficult as you identify and work through deep issues which are hindering the ability to find rest. I want that rest. Doesn’t everyone?