How does literacy provide rest? I am being reminded that throughout my life literacy has, in fact, been a direct avenue to finding rest.  This has been especially true when rest has been most elusive, whether from circumstances or just my own frame of mind.

To sit down (just that by itself!) with a good book in a favorite chair, or outside on the patio with a breeze blowing, near the fireplace in the winter, or under crisp sheets at bed time, is always a giant exhale for me.  With life and family and responsibilities running at what feels like a million miles a minute, to stop and enter another world through the pages of a book, is to immerse myself in rest. Certain books certainly do this more readily than others, but any book is a diversion, a veering off the beaten path, to the unexplored and new discovery of whatever lies down that road.  Just like exploring small towns along the way on a summer road trip, a pause with a book at any time of day   refreshes and leaves us changed.

Writing, too, provides it's own unique rest.  While reading provides this through what we discover and take in, writing does so by what we discover within and give out.  For me, that has been through creative writing, reflective writing, spiritual writing, relational writing, and even sporadic attempts at poetic writing.  When life has been difficult or a relationship particularly challenging or hurtful, it's easy to feel stuck, especially when emotions are deeply engaged or running high.  Getting these feelings and thoughts out on paper (or a screen) is often an effective way to dislodge the obstruction so thoughts can run freely again.  It is a tool of release and a freeing from what can be binding.

Our own literacy stories offer rest by providing a record of where we've been, how we've grown or changed, and how far we've come. As we look back over past books read or peruse old letters or journals, we can discover peace and encouragement to face whatever is in front of us thanks to reminders of what is behind.