As many know, I am finishing a 30 day personal leave from Grace Center today. Tomorrow, I head to Summer Camp with 60 of my favorite humans to kick off my return the right way. The past month has been great. I knew it wouldn’t be a true time to unplug as I am still a mom of four- and they all still attend our church and youth group. Not to mention, I’m married to the other pastor of our ministry. So I asked the Lord what some healthy expectations would be for this time and He mentioned a few things:

Make space to rest.

Make space to play.

Make space to receive from Me.

To accomplish these goals, I asked my family to support me in sleeping as long as I needed each day. That meant a lot more screen time than I want my kids to have, but it also meant I slept in until 8:30am almost every morning (I’m usually up by 6am, latest). My body was so happy to sleep as long as it needed, to genuinely rest, and then to get up slowly. Each day when I woke, I’d send a text asking for coffee then stay in bed while I did my daily devotions. Again, more screen time for my kids, but also more space for me to connect with myself and the Lord. It was precious time to record my dreams, read the Word, pray, journal, and I even found a daily liturgy I fell in love with. This quiet time was sacred and life giving to me. It also set me up to hear from Him more throughout the day.

Next I looked for ways to play. I asked the Lord to bring finances because I love going on adventures with my kids and building memories and He blessed us. We visiting Gatlinburg and Dollywood, explored rivers, went on hikes, enjoyed the pool, went canoeing, saw the Nashville Sounds, saw great movies, and so much more. We laughed, we played, we got annoyed, we apologized, and we made memories. Our hearts reconnected and I really got in touch with how wonderful and unique we each are. I fell in love with my little family all over again.

During the last month I was able to be kind to my nervous system (which was previously feeling shot) and also kind to my family and myself. I did lots of projects around the house which felt amazing to care for our personal space and also neglected daily duties like dishes when I didn’t feel like it. I read nine books, watched a few shows, and started writing again. My time of leave wasn’t picturesque or perfect but I kept my eyes on the beauty and the gifts and was able to be filled and refreshed. I feel ready to really be with people again. Excited to connect from overflow.

Thank you to everyone who prayed for me. Thank you to Brett for taking on SO MUCH at work, at home, and in your 3rd job driving Lyft- I know this month cost you! Thank you for showing me and our kids that I am worth it. Thank you to Jeff and Grace Center for providing the leave. And mostly, thank You Abba for walking me through this time. Meeting me in my moments of distress and guiding me back to Your Shalom. I pray myself, Brett, our children and ministry all bear great fruit from it moving forward.

One final thought, please take time to pray for and encourage your/your children’s pastors and the people who serve in the church. These are beautiful callings but carry an incredible amount of weight caring for so many other humans and their needs spiritually, emotionally, mentally, socially, and physically. Tell them how much you appreciate them, all the time. Send them gifts and bless them financially. Amazing pastors don’t do the ministry for any reason other than their love for Jesus and His Bride. But we can support them staying in their position by loving them well in return.