(derived from the Hebrew Shabbat (שַׁבָּת), "to cease")
I've been getting more and more resounding hints that I'm in dire need of rest. Not just physical, but mental, emotional, spiritual, etc. Looking back at posts from the summer, life was kinda insanely hectic. And while most would think that things should slow down with the ending of softball and people going into hibernation and what not, it's actually just picked up more. What's funny is I didn't realize how many things I had going on in until I had a look at my iCal and saw that I had at least one thing down for every day of the week if not two. It's been quite the crazy balancing act trying to prioritize and juggle, shift, and reschedule so many of the different elements and people in my life.
I'm actually surprised that I've been able to go so long like this without feeling burnt out. Part of it is probably cuz I enjoy doing all the things that I've been doing. Whether it's ministry (Sketchpad, volleyball clinic, worship team, TC), sports (ultimate 3x a week, volleyball), design (work, freelance stuff, pro bono everything), or time with family and friends, I find so much delight in all the things that I've been involved in the past few months... and that's probably why it's difficult for me to slow down and cut stuff out... or simply to say no. What's scary is there's so many more things that I want to be involved in, but simply can't figure out how it would fit into my schedule.
So in light of this very evident and real need, and the fact that the season of Lent kicks off today, I'm trying something new for the next 40 days... and hopefully this habit will continue past Easter weekend. A couple of years ago (or maybe last year) I heard a message about how maybe Lent doesn't have to just be about giving something up... but maybe it's about starting something new. Here's my thought: realistically I don't think I can just quit everything I'm doing and "lent" busyness. There are things that I've committed to that I'd be irresponsible to just drop out from. That said, this is my challenge for the next 40 days: take an intentional hour every day to rest and reflect. Whether that's physical rest, or just time to journal, read, or simply be still... just an intentional time of sabbath daily. Making time to re-align and re-center myself in hopes of starting to build a habit of rest and inevitably allowing me to re-fuel for all the things that are going on in life.
Today shall be Day One. We'll see how this goes. :)