Stop, Collaborate, and listen.

At church we’ve been going through a series called “Pause.” Two weeks ago the sermon was entitled “Pause to Rest.” It was one of the best sermons I’ve heard pertaining to the Sabbath to date. After a demanding week of classes and feeling especially drained, it’s no wonder why this sermon was particularly prominent on my heart this morning. So, I took my pastors advice quite literally and decided to play hooky.

This morning I was talking with a friend and I informed them of my decision to take a “snow day.” She then responded with “But it’s not snowing.” To which I replied, “Yes, but I’m free to live like it is.” The rest of the day I spent in pause mode. (I would normally refer to it as chill mode but in respect to what initially prompted me to such an act, I will call it pause mode for the time being.) I filled the morning with many pauses that’s for sure. I paused to go back to sleep for a few hours. I paused from doing my dishes. I even paused from changing out of my pj’s. However, amongst those “Pauses” I also paused to thank God. I paused to worship alone with him. I paused to tell him I loved him. I paused to wonder. And I paused to just sit in silence and bask in his glory.

Through all of my pauses I was refreshed, refilled, and restored. Lately I couldn’t help but feel as if I wasn’t doing enough in comparison to life pre-Washington. Thankfully, how quickly I was reminded that when I’m living on the edge of burn out, not only do I have nothing left to give, but I am probably doing more than God wants me too. I hate that I’ve come to wear my busyness like a badge of honor and although I may not be pulled 100 different directions commitment wise these days, it is only because my move has handicapped me in that area. Do not be fooled, it takes everything in my power on a daily basis to refrain from saying yes to every activity that is tossed my way. However, I am proud to say that since my move God has taken a hold of my priorities and replaced them with stillness. Thanks to this day of self-reflection I am starting to understand why.

Why I ever enjoyed being stretched so thin is beyond me, but I can say I am much happier when I step into my blessings and enjoy them for all they're worth. It's a shame I've hurried through so many in fear of missing the next thing on my agenda. Thank you Jesus for days such as these and the realization that letting go of the life we’ve so hastily planned is the only way of getting to the life you've planned for us.




I don't hate it. :)