God’s Restful Garden

Earth’s Cycles

God created rest.

We have night and day every 24 hours as our planet spins on its axis. Our bodies naturally wake up and fall asleep on this schedule.

Every year, as the Earth travels around the Sun, we experience winter, spring, summer & fall. In winter our natural world slows down, and plants and animals take a rest.

Bears, bats, and other creatures hibernate. Trees lose their leaves. And plants die, leaving their seeds behind in the ground, until the warmth of spring sets them to growing again.

Can you think of any other examples of rest in nature?

Check out this map showing Earth’s daylight and darkness. What do you think it is like living in Alaska right now?

Day & Night World Map

Look for REST this week as a family. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Set aside a few hours to do something that your family finds restful. Try to be present in the moment, living joyfully as if all of your work is done.

Watch this hibernation video. Then learn about other animals that hibernate in the winter

PBS Hibernation Video