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Day 5 Let Your Soul Breathe

When I think about rest and sabbath, I think a lot about my experience during La Vida three years ago.  I learned much about being present, slowing down, and leaning into the Spirit while hiking the Adirondacks for 12 days.

When we calm our bodies and truly take time to be still, oftentimes our minds still wander and race about.  I had 2 days of complete aloneness and fasting while I was out in the woods, and while I wanted to use that time to listen to God and journal about everything, I’ll admit that at times, it was hard to focus. My stomach would begin to growl, I felt weak and tired, my mind just meandered around so many topics... it was hard. And at the time I beat myself up about it. But after some practice, Ive learned to gently acknowledge any distraction and guide myself back to my prayers. 

Having two days of completely nothing was such a blessing, but now I’m in a season of life that is constantly moving. I work two part time jobs, go to school online, volunteer some of my time, and I’m working on writing a book. And trust me, I am not bragging— I wish I didn’t have to feel tired every day. But this fatigue has nudged a little reminder in my soul.  I haven’t been giving it space to breathe as one of my favorite authors, Emily P. Freeman says. 

Giving your soul space to breathe sometimes requires finding the peace of the Holy Spirit within yourself even when life bustles around you. Can we probably get 5 minutes of quiet on our day, yes (granted we put our phones down for a moment). But sometimes we need rest in the middle of the day when the to-do lists keep piling up and the hurry of everyone and everything around us chases us. In those moments, we can still find sabbath. 
Pause. What’s today? Where are you? What is the next thing you need to do? Breathe. You don’t have to do everything. Tomorrow has enough worry if it’s own, and I’m sure the next hour does too. Know that you are worthy, and not valued by what you do. Rest in the peace that surpasses all understanding that live within you— acknowledge its presence in your soul. And take one step forward. 

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