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Living and Learning: A One Word Update

May 20, 2022 by Lauren 28 Comments

living and learningGod 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

  1.  be more intentional about sabbathing (can sabbath be a verb?)
  2. have days I don’t produce
  3. pray more – especially when I start to worry
  4. befriend my emotions
  5. use avoidance techniques less
  6. let myself read before it’s bedtime
  7. plan more friend time
  8. call Patsy (my best friend) more
  9. have some moments of doing nothing – and be ok
  10. plan more fun – Top Golf?  another scavenger hunt?  explore trails when walking?
  11. complain less
  12. work a puzzle
  13. stay in the word
  14. read Another Gospel? to increase trust
  15. listen to music and sing more
  16. game nights
  17. watch funny things
  18. be comfy as much as possible
  19. ask for what I need
  20. continue pursuing pain relief
  21. go on house- looking drives
  22. 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.

 

“O Lord, You have made us for Yourself and our hearts are restless till they rest in You.”  – from Augustine’s Confessions

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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.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

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Filed Under: Christian, Grace & Truth Link Up, prayer, provision, trusting God Tagged With: one word challenge, play, productivity, rest

Comments

  1. Lisa Blair says

    May 20, 2022 at 10:49 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 20, 2022 at 11:52 am

      The blog you linked up today helped me immensely with this. Thank you.

      Reply
  2. Deborah Rutherford says

    May 20, 2022 at 3:47 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 22, 2022 at 12:20 pm

      God is so good that way. Thanks, Deborah.

      Reply
  3. Barb Hegreberg says

    May 20, 2022 at 3:58 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 22, 2022 at 12:19 pm

      Thank you, Barb. I think taking my time was my own kind of rest.

      Reply
  4. Donna says

    May 20, 2022 at 4:10 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 22, 2022 at 12:19 pm

      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.

      Reply
  5. Maureen says

    May 23, 2022 at 5:28 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 24, 2022 at 3:17 pm

      I think that is definitely part of what I am learning, Maureen. Thanks for adding to the conversation.

      Reply
  6. Joanne says

    May 23, 2022 at 5:56 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 24, 2022 at 3:17 pm

      For me, it seems I have to have “scheduled play”. If I’m just “doing nothing” I will try to fill the time.

      Reply
  7. Barb Hegreberg says

    May 23, 2022 at 6:20 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 24, 2022 at 3:15 pm

      I am glad it’s helpful for you too, Barb.

      Reply
  8. Holly Breton @ Pink Lady says

    May 24, 2022 at 6:37 am

    I need to listen to the rest messages- I really do- thank you for this gentle reminder

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 24, 2022 at 3:14 pm

      I think busyness and overwork are very common faults.

      Reply
  9. Linda Stoll says

    May 24, 2022 at 7:28 am

    oh there’s such power and clarity in a good list, isn’t there!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 24, 2022 at 3:13 pm

      Yes. This one was quite revealing.

      Reply
  10. Amy Jung says

    May 24, 2022 at 10:47 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 24, 2022 at 3:13 pm

      Don’t you love it when god makes his message crystal clear to us. Thanks for telling us, Amy.

      Reply
  11. Donna B Reidland says

    May 24, 2022 at 1:16 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 24, 2022 at 3:12 pm

      I relate to this 100%. Thanks for adding to the conversation, Donna.

      Reply
  12. Michele Morin says

    May 24, 2022 at 4:18 pm

    As your fellow REST er, I appreciate the connection between REST and feeling.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 24, 2022 at 5:01 pm

      I have gained a lot from you posts on the subject, Michele!

      Reply
  13. Karen Friday says

    May 30, 2022 at 11:02 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 30, 2022 at 9:36 pm

      Thanks so much, Karen!

      Reply
  14. Lisa notes says

    May 31, 2022 at 9:47 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 31, 2022 at 8:22 pm

      Not producing is the hardest for me too!

      Reply

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I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
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