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

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.

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).

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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Now Let’s Link Up!

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