Inspiration and truth this morning from Dallas Willard, a wonderful man who loved Jesus and embraced a rhythm of life that was unhurried and lived in God’s presence daily, in the midst of the demands of life.

This is NOT easy, and most of the time a struggle. But worth it? Absolutely. I find that when I am being intentional about anything, there is an automatic feeling of “swimming against the current”. It is so easy to not be intentional. It’s what happens when you’re simply breezing through life.

But Jesus has not called us to a life of unintentionality. Something I’ve been pondering a lot lately were the rhythms that Jesus embraced on His days on earth. He chose to practice masonry up until His ministry began at age 30. He was working with His hands, as Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to do. Working hard. Learning. Serving. Preparing. Mot likely spending a lot of time in God’s presence as He did these things. And when He began His ministry, He began to be surrounded by people and needs most of His waking hours. Jesus began teaching and training His disciples, healing people, meeting their needs, encountering enemies, etc. But, the one rhythm we are consistently told of in the Gospels is that He frequently withdrew to quiet places to be with His Father.

Now, if Jesus, the Son of God, needed to do this, why on earth do I so often feel like I don’t need to? Don’t get me wrong, every morning, I wake early before our kids, brew some instant coffee (don’t judge…), and I spend time in the Word of God. But often times, I don’t COMMUNE with God – it’s like I eat a scrap of bread and call it good for my soul. No, I believe Jesus was completely satisfying Himself in God His Father. Basking in His presence, remembering His identity, His mission, asking the Father for wisdom, pouring out His heart, grounding Himself in truth.

That’s a bit different than my scrap of bread – which leaves me hungry, and more susceptible to filling up on lesser foods later on when I’m hungry.

Jesus arranged His days so that He would experience deep contentment/joy/confidence in our everyday life with God. I am challenged to take this on and figure this out with a husband, 5 kids, a dog, 12 chickens and a small farm, being a homeschooling mom and cultivating community through our household. In faith, I believe the Lord will lead me. And I know He’ll lead you, dear reader.

Life is too short on this earth to live our lives ragged and worn out because we’re neglecting this in our apprenticeship to Jesus. The world will preach self care, self help, a spa day, or self love to you. Let’s cut through that fluff and stand on the truth that time communing with our Heavenly Dad is where it’s truly at.

Just some thoughts from my heart to yours.

I recently finished the much-awaited book The Ruthless Elimination of a Hurry by John Mark Comer. I knew John Mark in high school, and it’s been so neat to see what God has done in and through him. This latest book of his is SO powerful and an important word for our distracted and hurried generation.

This is a book cholk-full of Biblical and practical wisdom. He touches on simplicity, practicing sabbath, unhurry-ing, becoming a person of love, and more. I’m planning on rereading it again soon!

And one of the great perks of this book is that at the end of the book, he lists a website where you can download a workbook to be a companion to the book. It is designed to help us flesh out some changes we want to make in regards to our schedules, closets, belongings, free time, etc.

One immediate takeaway I had was giving myself permission to be choosy about my schedule. My husband and I are raising and homeschooling 5 kiddos 9 and under, and it’s a blessed privilege. But it’s exhausting. Demanding. Non-stop. And I’ve had to learn this past year the art of saying one word: NO. I’m a 2 on the enneagram – I’m “the helper”. If someone is in need, I’m there, to the best of my ability. So I often over-extend myself. I’m still learning how to keep a healthy balance (I don’t prefer that word, though). So, I am in a season of learning how to craft my days for me and our family where we can all thrive, have space for being aware of the presence of God, and not hurrying to and fro to activities, play dates, errands, etc. All of those things are good, necessary, even. But too much of a good thing is NOT good. As the saying goes, “good is the enemy of the great”.

The other takeaway I had was simplifying my closet and wardrobe. This is a process, but I’m enjoying it. My friend, Jennifer Scott (The Daily Connoisseur) birthed the idea of the “10 Item Wardrobe”. I will post more about this process soon, in other posts. But if you’re wanting to simplify your life, simplifying your wardrobe is an easy and fun way to start. If you’re like me, I tend to be a “now let’s change EVERYTHING!” person after I’m inspired and fired up about something. Go. Slow. It’s a process. And don’t hurry… (ahem)

I encourage you to give it a read, dear friend! Here’s a favorite quote, which is what formed the premise of this book:

Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day. You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.

-Dallas Willard

I don’t know about you, but mind likes to wander, untethered, during the day. I can easily worry about something, remember a random thing I needed to do, plan for this thing and that… My mind needs to be tethered. Maybe yours, too?

I love this verse in Colossians 3. I’ve been planted here for the past week because it’s so. Good.

Friends, we need to SET our minds on God and the things above. Not on earthly things. God knows our minds and how we work. What we focus on is what we focus on!

When reading this verse, I always picture setting a book on the top of a shelf. When you set an item somewhere , you’ve made a decision of permanency for that item. Where does that clean plate belong? Set it on the shelf in the cupboard. Where does that folded sheet belong? Set it in the linen closet.

Where does my mind need to be? Set it on God and the things above.

Easier said than done most days. But will you join me in the daily (and often hourly, minute-ly) decision to SET on our minds on God and the things above? To be concerned first about Him and His kingdom. Oh, how I want to grow in this. Our Father longs to help us in this.

Do you ever get “stuck” on a verse from the Word of God that is just so rich that it won’t let you go until you’ve marinated in it for a good while? Lately I’ve been camping on 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

The thought struck me – do I live as if I believe this? I know it’s TRUE, but am I basing my day-in, day-out life on this truth? Am I living it? So often I treat difficulties and feeling weak with frustration, rather than seeing them as an opportunity to invite Jesus’ power to empower me and bring life to my soul. I want His Holy Spirit to permeate my whole being so there’s nothing of me left.

Friend, HIS grace is sufficient. For all things. Im going to believe this and live wholeheartedly from it today. Join me?

Have you ever felt stuck between a rock and a hard spot with something in your life? Maybe it’s a situation. Maybe it’s a relationship. Maybe something you’re waiting for. Maybe for just for a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel.

We all need HOPE. How many times have kids asked their parents “are we there yet?”and the tangible, felt relief when you all know you are very close to your destination. Ah. The relief. You don’t have to carry the uncertainty anymore.

God created us in a way that we aren’t supposed to carry the weight of uncertainty and hopelessness. He designed us to be whole in Him. To place our hope and trust in HIM. And when we come up against a tough situation or relationship, we simply trust Him, as He is our Good Father, who knows what we need even before we know it (Matthew 6:8).

But how do you DO that? It sounds so simple! But how do you practically live that out, day in and day out? I’m no expert, but I’ve had some situations the past couple of years that have taken a lot of waiting on God, and He has been so faithful. So, I will share it, I pray it encourages you in some way on your journey.

The past 4 years or so have held a lot of messy moments for me. Lots of growing moments, moments of hopelessness, and times where I could only trust God and His timing. Not a quick fix. I felt like I was the kid, and I was asking God, “God, are we there yet?”

But I’ll never forget, one time the picture of a huge ball of tangled string in my hands came into my mind, and there was no way of untangling it in my own. I needed help. I needed someone Else. And I felt like God invited me in that moment, and asked me if I would give Him that ball of string. For Him to unravel. In His time. To trust Him.

And, I did. Imperfectly, but I did. And I still am having to choose to keep it in His loving, steady, wise arms as we’re still in a growing season.

But friend, you can trust God with your messy string of emotions, a situation, a relationship. He alone knows the timing of your need, your want, your desire, your healing. He knows how to straighten it out. Keep walking with Him in faith, knowing He will do it and He is faithful. Abide in Him, wash yourself in His Word daily (many times daily!) and He will bear fruit in you. Whatever you’re waiting for, He’s got this. Will you hand him your ball of string today?

Since the start of 2019, my husband and I decided to have a weekly rhythm of remembering and observing the Sabbath for our family. Until then, there was no rhythm of rest in our weekly rhythm – holidays, sickness and vacation were our times of rest. Yeah. Can you say “burnout”?

Our family is pretty active – we like to be involved in ways of serving, homeschool, kid activities, family and friend time, but also love our simple days at home. But year after year, we were finding our souls getting more and more tired and worn down. Physically. Emotionally. Spiritually.

And then this verse, translated in The Message came to our eyes and ears, and then into our hearts.

And we are so thankful to have heard some great teachings from Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon and later on from Jefferson and Alyssa Bethke and Jeremy and April Pryor on the why, what, how of Sabbath.

So, we decided to start the first week of January 2019. We picked Saturday night, lit 2 Sabbath candles, made a nice dinner and a pizzookie (giant pizza cookie… if you haven’t had one…) for dessert. We wanted our kids to love Sabbath, too. We taught them what Sabbath (Shabbat) means – “to STOP!” One time we asked “Stop WHAT, kids?” And one kid said, “Stop sinning!” Ahem. Out of the mouths of babes! And so, we try each week to reiterate each what exactly we’re stopping.

Stop what? You may ask. Stop striving. Stop working. Stop producing. Stop spending and doing. It’s time to stop to rest, refresh, recenter, and trust God that the world will continue to on without our involvement. (Cue humility)

We heard it said that it may take a couple of years to really find what works for your family, and each individual in the family. And we’ve seen this to be true. I feel like the past 6 months have been our best Sabbaths yet. Quarantine life focused a bit more, as we were burning out more quickly. My husband and I were so thankful to be at the first Family Teams Conference in Cincinnati this past October, where they discuss observing the Sabbath in detail, and that really helped us with more ideas and refining our vision for practicing Sabbath.

We now Sabbath from Friday night until Saturday evening, instead of Saturday night through Sunday afternoon. My husband is the worship pastor at our church, so Sunday wasn’t particularly restful for him. So, we decided to try it starting Friday night, and it’s been working very well! We have a special scent candle that we only light on the Sabbath, and my husband requested that I light it before he gets home so he smells in upon walking in the house. It definitely signals REST to us. We are entering into rest. We still light the candles, read a Psalm or short passage of the Bible (we have lots of little kids, so little spurts of Scripture have been best at this season of our family’s life) and we found an upbeat song we sing each start of Sabbath, called “Shabbat Shalom”. It’s very catchy and we love it!

We feast, watch a movie, play games or something fun as a family, then go to bed. In the morning, we stay in our pajamas if wanted, eat a leisurely breakfast, and hang out at home. Sometimes, we’re at home reading books, playing outside, or maybe it’s a non-stressful outing together. Then nap/quiet time for an hour (parents, this is a game-changer!) Please know that every now and then we have a Sabbath that just didn’t fill us like we were hoping. Things come up, life happens. Just keep going!

*update on this post on 8/29/2020: since quarantine life hit the world back in March, we decided to try out something we heard, and this routine has stuck with us most Sabbaths since. We decided to split our Sabbath into 3rds. One third would be my time to have free time while my husband was having time with our kids, and then we switched and he had his free time and I was with the kids, then the last third is family time. It has been so life-giving to do Sabbath this way! That’s the thing, try something – you never know! Keep going and you’ll find something that works for that season of your life.

We believe that Sabbath should feel like a mini Christmas each week! Feasting on great food, being with family (and friends), resting, not working, being present to God and to each other. It is not legalistic. It is a GIFT. Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8).

This.

I don’t know about you, but all you mom and dads out there deserve a huge hug and high five… and maybe a venti iced mocha with whipped cream. Or double shot iced coffee, whatever you roll with.

This pandemic, cultural environment and stressors have definitely revealed some of our weakness and character flaws, hasn’t it? (please tell me I’m not alone…)

My heart goes out to moms and dads because I’m right there with you. You’re juggling so many things – things usually not on your plate, responsibilities that weren’t your own now are. Finances could be strained. Relationships could be strained. Peace feels like a far-off dream.

Well, in light of all of the things we’re trying to juggle, I’m here to say that I stopped believing the SUPERMOM myth. You know why? Because she plainly does not exist. Oh, I’ve tried to be her – I’ve tried to be everything to my husband and kids, try to keep a neat and tidy house, cook all organic meals, keep myself in tip-top physical shape – all with a smile on my face! Can you say….. unattainable!? Can you say… headed for burnout, disillusionment?

Hmmm…… there MUST bean alternative to living this way. Did God, who created us, really intend for us to be supermoms and feel good about doing it all and impressing everyone?

I’m here to share with you a better way (that I’ve been learning over the years). A way that’s filled with freedom from guilt and shame, freedom that brings peace to your precious soul and heart, and mostly, a way that brings life into your heart, and your mama heart.

We weren’t created to be supermoms or superdads… we are created to be moms and dads who believe and serve and obey a SUPER God! A God who loves us and supernaturally gives us the strength to parent.

God created us to NEED him, just like our children need us. God is a Father – He created us to need Him. Not just when we’re in a pinch and need help with a flat tire or when we’re at the very end of our rope. (He is there then, of course). But God created us to do life WITH Him – every moment – and to do motherhood in His strength, not ours.

Trust me, I’m sad to say that I’ve done plenty of my motherhood in my own strength. But God, in His mercy and grace, let me get to the end of myself (it wasn’t pretty) and He started to show me a better way. Life WITH Him. Strength from communion with Him.

Do I get it right all the time now? No. I’m a work in progress. But I’m starting to learn what my job is and what it isn’t. My job is not to be everything for everyone – to do all of the perfect mom things – sooner or later, you’ll see that you’ll fail your children in some way. And that there is a sign that maybe this motherhood thing isn’t about me and my identity and how good of a mother I am – maybe it’s seeing motherhood as the gift it is. It is a gift of His grace to let me get to the end of myself. Because then, and only then, do I recognize my need for someone to save me – a Savior – Jesus, and surrender my life to Him. My expectations. My failures. My hopes and dreams. And let Him fill them and inform them. And trust me, it’s an adventure. An adventure that I’ll bet your heart is secretly aching for.

We aren’t enough on our own. We are sinners in need of God’s amazing grace. Recent books and pinterest pins like to declare that “You are enough!” and “She believed she could and she did“. Yes, those have some grains of truth in them – but let’s be careful! God is the source of life – the source of the strength that can be sustained over time, as Isaiah 40:31 says.

So, mama, whether you’re finishing reading this and need to return changing a diaper or cook dinner again or address a sibling argument, remember this:

Rest in His grace today. He makes what you do enough. You aren’t enough on your own – He didn’t create you to carry that burden. Bring Him whatever is in your hand, and offer it to Him, and He’ll make it enough. He’s inviting you into a life with Him – filled with life, peace no matter the circumstance, and hope. True hope.

With the help and vision of my wonderful husband, we are now packaging the loaves of homemade natural yeast sourdough from our kitchen on The Unhurried Farm.

We’ve been at this steadily for a couple of months: failing, learning, succeeding, and after we got the hang of it, this past month it’s been such a blessing to give these loaves out to people in our community. We bake 1-2 fresh loaves a day.

We’d love to bless you, dear friend, with fresh bread. Come on by for a visit!

Isaiah 33:2 says,

O Lord, be gracious to us, we wait for you.  Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble.

The book of Isaiah in the Bible centers around the fact that judgment is coming and God is calling His people, Israel to purify and prepare themselves for the coming King and new Jerusalem.  It is rich in imagery and holds favorite verses for many. 

This verse struck me as I read it one morning – “be our arm every morning”.  Our arm. As in the arm that lifts us out of bed – gives us strength to rise for a new day. I picture the moment we wake up, God is by our side, and as we awake, He offers His strong and mighty arm to us.  It’s there.  We must grab onto His arms, like a small child, and let Him lift us into our day with Him (like the above picture). He is abundantly gracious and is the source of our salvation in the time of trouble.  His arm symbolizes His power, support, power to deliver and conquer.

I’m camping on this truth for a while. And remembering that our Heavenly Father is such a perfect, good, loving Father. The picture above is a beautiful picture of life with Him. It’s an adventure. And He’s the center of it, and our strength in it, our joy in it. Doesn’t that bring a deep joy to your heart today, friends?