This picture was taking in one my walks with God and to enjoy nature.
This week has felt a little overwhelming, and I’m not entirely sure why. Maybe it’s the perimenopause symptoms finally making their presence known (yes, embracing this stage of life now, haha!), or perhaps it’s some news about loved friends that hits harder than expected because they matter so much.
Life can feel heavy sometimes. Deadlines, responsibilities, unexpected news, and challenges can leave me feeling drained. In the middle of it all, it’s so easy to forget the power that rest has and even more, the power of gratitude. I know this, but for some reason it is so easy at the same time, it’s easy to forget to keep practicing this, because life comes at you and distractions get in the way.
After feeling this overwhelm, I was reminded in my coaching sessions this week that my mind needs rest too. Whether I’m in ministry or not, life keeps moving with its own challenges. Part of my sabbatical is to have walks with God, so I took some time for a walk and simply be in His presence, allowing my heart and mind to align with His rest.
Daniel and I have been learning that rest isn’t just about stopping; it’s about engaging with the right things.
For me, that has meant to engage:
For me, that has meant:
- When reading a book, I am putting in purpose my phone in another room so I can focus, instead of getting distracted by messages or letting my mind wander. Does that happen to you too? Or maybe it’s just me
- Instead of letting my emotions spiral because of news or fear, I go for a walk to experience the beauty of God’s creation and simply being in His presence, rather than trying to fix every issue.
- Instead of feeling upset about being overweight, I am taking at least 20 minutes now for exercise or dance to let my feelings rest and know that I am doing what I can and It has been paying off!
I know that my heart is connected to His, but for the last years I have been learning to connect my mind , body, and soul to God and reset. It’s in those quiet and celebration moments with Him that I can reflect, recharge, and reconnect with what truly matters.
Gratitude has been coming to me more and more lately. Even in hard seasons, it shifts my perspective. It reminds me of blessings I might otherwise overlook: a friend’s encouragement, a moment of laughter, the beauty of a sunset, or simply waking up to a new day. Practicing gratitude softens my stress, strengthens my resilience, and brings peace to my heart.
So today, I hope this is encouraging to you as it has been this week encouraging to myself. To take a moment to rest. Breathe deeply. Sit in God’s presence. Give thanks for what is present, even if everything isn’t perfect. Life is so much richer when we rest in Him and remain grateful, even in the middle of the chaos.