This Friday, I’m doing something radical.
I’m taking three weeks off. Three weeks, just me. I’m not going anywhere, doing anything special, or making giant declarations. My family will keep on going about their normal lives, but I’m pressing pause.
Just me, a pile of books, some comfy pants and a calendar with space to breathe.
Okay, it doesn’t seem radical, perhaps, but it’s the first time I’ve done this, and honestly, it’s probably the best of times and worst of times to do this.
But with over seven years of an entrepreneurial journey under my belt, it’s my time of Jubilee, friends. My word of the year is peace, and for much of the first 4 months, there was anything but peace. There was joy – lots of it, but also grief. There was a lot of letting go and saying goodbye, but also saying hello to newfound friends. There was a long-awaited family vacation (glory), but on the other side of the vacation there was challenge, loss, and new seasons of change.
In these weeks I’m hoping to write. I’m hoping to bake. I want to find castoff furniture to refinish (my dear husband is not quite as excited about this idea.) I’m hoping to dig in the dirt, drink coffee on the deck, read and rest. I’ll make sangria and find others to share it with. I’m hoping to reflect and look ahead, to gather in fresh life and cast off those things that no longer fit. Or, I might do nothing much that is measurable at all.
I’m also thinking I’ll mourn. There hasn’t been a ton of space for that since I hit the ground running when our flight from saying goodbye to Dad in BC landed. I’ll remember, and I’ll go through those memories that I’ve just not been able to engage. I’ll meet with a grief counselor and an art therapist, putting words to my thoughts and expressing my heart through a paintbrush.
I’ll eat mindfully alone and share meals with friends that I’ve not had time to see, I’ll sleep late or get up early.
Most of all? I’ll do the radical work of rest, in the midst of a full, beautiful, gloriously normal life.
*How do you rest? What advice would you give someone seeking rest?
“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.”
1 Peter 5:6
“Enjoy the pause”
Thanks, Doug. That is a good thought for this time – to be humbled under the mighty power of God… really appreciate you sharing that with me this morning!
I’m so so happy you’re doing this. Makes me smile. I’m sure it will be completely different than anything you imagine it being. I’m sure God will meet you in a precious and present way.
Xoxo
You can tell I’m just waking up! I hope God meets you in a tenderly present way. And I hope you sink down into your rest.
Love you.
Thanks, Tina. I’ll also have time to catch up on friends’ writing… like yours! 🙂 xo
This is and will be the best thing I read all day. So happy that you are doing this – it is much needed! *IF* you are looking for a book to read during this time of rest (maybe not!) then I highly recommend Mark Buchanan’s Rest of God. It revolutionized the way I think about rest and how to practice it. En-JOY the next three weeks my friend! xo
You are the best. Think we can fit in a visit in the next few weeks? xo
Peter Scazzero has a book called “The Emotionally Healthy Leader” and in it there is a chapter on Sabbath. He suggests every Sabbath we should take time to stop (cease all work), rest (restore and replenish), delight (do something fun), and contemplate (ponder and think about the Word of God). As you intentionally take this time I hope you will feel the powerful presence of Jesus in the midst of everything!
Thank you, Jo-Ann! I’ve been wondering what the real meaning of “restore” means – as I realize that rest truly looks different for every single person! Does he get into that concept?
When you feel like digging in the dirt, I have a fairy garden project you are welcome to join me with. Of course I have enough stuff for both of us. After a sangria or two, I’m sure we could design a beautiful fairy garden.
I admire you immensely! I grew up at a racetrack. My dad often quotes “Ya snooze, Ya lose!” I have always struggled with that four letter word…rest. Last year I bought two signs that say rest. I was just looking at one and thinking that’s what I need. You and Hollie have inspired me to schedule this. Enjoy 🙂
Besides regular digital fasts (start with 24 hours), take days where every time-telling device is removed or covered so that you rediscover natural patterns to sleep, eat, whatever. Harder at first than you might think!
Enjoy your pause my friend. May it be everything you imagine and more. May your soul be soothed, inspired and refreshed. Oh, I might also need that sangria recipe!
[…] first book I really read during my three weeks of sabbatical was Mary DeMuth’s “Worth Living”, and it was well-timed. I needed to read her words about […]