God is teaching me so much as I continue through Lisa Hite’s 40 Day One Word Lenten Challenge. Yes, I know Lent is long gone, but I’m slow (in more ways than one). Day 27’s activity was to list 22 ways you can live your One Word in 2022. With your indulgence, I’d like to share my list in order to explain how I’ve been living and learning so far this year. They may not all make sense to you since you aren’t inside my brain (lucky for you), but the list as a whole paints a picture.
Living and Learning to Rest in 2022
- be more intentional about sabbathing (can sabbath be a verb?)
- have days I don’t produce
- pray more – especially when I start to worry
- befriend my emotions
- use avoidance techniques less
- let myself read before it’s bedtime
- plan more friend time
- call Patsy (my best friend) more
- have some moments of doing nothing – and be ok
- plan more fun – Top Golf? another scavenger hunt? explore trails when walking?
- complain less
- work a puzzle
- stay in the word
- read Another Gospel? to increase trust
- listen to music and sing more
- game nights
- watch funny things
- be comfy as much as possible
- ask for what I need
- continue pursuing pain relief
- go on house- looking drives
- seek out new places/ experiences
Here’s where I remind you that my word focus for the year is rest. It goes hand in hand with last year’s word – trust. Here’s what I learned about myself as I made this list. Being unproductive is a big struggle for me. I already knew this and yet began to see the issue differently in light of what rest means for me. I wrestle with resting in and trusting God because I think I need to be working all the time. Or maybe I think I need to be working all the time because I struggle with resting in God. Whichever way, the two are tightly connected!
This sounds like a strange conclusion for me to draw since I only work part time 1-2 days a week. But that’s the work I do to make money. I also take care of a house and family, spend time studying God’s Word and writing this blog and I stay involved in my church. I often hear the clock ticking on all the things I “need” to do. Which is exactly where I’m getting myself in trouble.
More Learning
My second lesson from this exercise? Play = rest to me. Even though I’m not physically resting, time spent with family and friends laughing, playing games and trying new things rejuvenates me. And as I’ve ruminated on this, I believe more fun and enjoyment would decrease stress and actually increase trust in God. You know – more abundant living. When my life is not all work and struggle, I feel more peace.
Two weeks ago I shared with you a journal entry on play. This prompt came from a book I read. It’s totally unrelated to my One Word work. And yet, God often speaks to me in two’s. Probably because I don’t listen well the first time. So I’m not sure I would have make the play to rest connection had I not already journaled about it.
More play would force me to stop being so productive. If I’m not producing all of the time, I’m leaving room for God’s provision and I’m in better position to watch Him move. And He does promise He’ll move for me. I’m going to make some changes so I can rest in that.
Link Up Time
And now for this week’s featured post from the link up!
Last week I shared a post about Mental Health Awareness month and I want to continue to be a part of the conversation by sharing Grace and Truth’s own Maree Dee’s resources on mental health. Check out her favorites here.
1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.
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We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.
MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
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I’m so thankful that we have many ways of entering rest with Him. Rest and trust are both deep words and it sounds like you are gleaning so much in your walk with Him, Lauren.
The blog you linked up today helped me immensely with this. Thank you.
Lauren, your list is inspiring. It is truly amazing to watch how God works in our lives. Giving us each what we need if we don’t know it.
God is so good that way. Thanks, Deborah.
Good on you for doing this challenge at your own speed. I can see God using it to help you REST in new ways!
Blessings!
Thank you, Barb. I think taking my time was my own kind of rest.
So good, Lauren, I have the same problem-I always feel like I should be DOING something. I have a very hard time with REST. Though God is teaching me rest looks different than just sitting still in a chair! Sometimes it can simply be doing something you love-which refreshes your whole being.
I also learned an interesting thing from a neuroscience professor. Those who work with their hands (think physical labor, on their feet, etc.) need to rest with their minds. meaning they are resting their bodies while engaging their minds in some way.
Those of us who work with our minds (computer work, writers, etc.) need to rest with our hands. Meaning we rest by DOING-folding laundry, washing dishes-exercising-you get it. So maybe we feel like DOING because it’s actually how we rest!
I definitely think there is some thing to breast not always meaning doing nothing. I am learning that rest equals refreshment too. Thanks for contributing to the conversation, Donna.
This such a good perspective! Sometimes I feel like I am on the opposite end where I am “resting” too much. But perhaps “rest” means finding ways fill our cup like reading before bedtime or spending time with those that matter most. So it’s not quite just sitting down or sleeping but rather rejuvenating our being.
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
I think that is definitely part of what I am learning, Maureen. Thanks for adding to the conversation.
I feel like I struggle with resting too as I am always on the go; even when we go on vacation I tend to pack our schedule with ALL the things and find I get antsy with a day at the beach or by the pool. Though I too equate play with rest because at least my brain is usually turned off (or changes focus from worrying) and I feel more relaxed.
For me, it seems I have to have “scheduled play”. If I’m just “doing nothing” I will try to fill the time.
I would like to add that I admire your list and I see that there are quite a few things that I need to implement into my life!
I am glad it’s helpful for you too, Barb.
I need to listen to the rest messages- I really do- thank you for this gentle reminder
I think busyness and overwork are very common faults.
oh there’s such power and clarity in a good list, isn’t there!
Yes. This one was quite revealing.
Thank you for being a part of God’s call to me today to rest in my thoughts about work. Every. Single. Blog. Post. today has had that as a theme for me! I absolutely love what you’re doing and that list you made!
Don’t you love it when god makes his message crystal clear to us. Thanks for telling us, Amy.
Doing … it’s a struggle for me, too! I find it hard, even, to just sit and watch TV without doing something else, folding clothes, sorting papers … Thanks for this encouragement!
I relate to this 100%. Thanks for adding to the conversation, Donna.
As your fellow REST er, I appreciate the connection between REST and feeling.
I have gained a lot from you posts on the subject, Michele!
Lauren, I so enjoyed this post and especially your list. These are perfect for your one word. I’m not sure sabbathing is a word but I like it regardless!
Thanks so much, Karen!
I love that you’re continuing to work through Lisa Hite’s One Word Lenten Challenge. We could use it all year long! I also love that you use sabbath as a verb. It makes sense to me too! 🙂
#2 is a lesson I need to grasp the most: having days I don’t ‘produce’. Those are often my favorite days when I let them happen. I have the same struggle as you about feeling the need to be productive every day. But your whole list is absolutely wonderful, Lauren! So glad you linked up at our One Word linkup.
Not producing is the hardest for me too!