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***For those who are new to this site, I wanted to introduce you to award-winning novelist, Lisa Jordan. You can learn more about he below. On the last Tuesday of each month, she shares a post in this space. Enjoy her words today!***
Last weekend, my husband and son returned home from hunting and foraging for mushrooms. My husband asked if I had finished my work yet. I told him, “No, and I still had a lot more to do.”
I have a book proposal due to my editor at the end of the month. I still had things to finish from the week. Not to mention three blog posts, a newsletter, and an email inbox with unread emails that was edging toward four digits.
But it was Saturday. I had already put in a full week. I was tired.
When Others See Our Weariness
My husband wanted to spend quality time with me. He saw I needed a break from the busyness in my life. He knew the best way was to get me out of the house, away from my computer.
My people-pleasing tendencies were colliding with my values of family and quality time. I wanted to please my husband, yet I also wanted to please my editor, my readers, my other obligations.
My people-pleasing tendencies were colliding with my values of family and quality time. #weariness #gratitude@lisajordan Click To Tweet
Swallowing my frustration and guilt, I shut down my computer, showered, and prepared to spend the afternoon with my husband.
As we headed out, I had to admit—my heart just wasn’t in it. My to-do list scrolled through my head as a tight band wrapped around my chest. How was I going to get everything done in time? How was I going to be present when we needed quality time together?
However, the moment I stepped out of the car and filled my lungs with autumn-soaked fresh air, thoughts of my to-do list scattered from my mind like the fallen leaves skittering across our path.
For the next two hours, we walked a three-mile trail around a nearby lake. Sunlight streamed through the branches and dappled the dirt road as our dog locked on different scents and my husband and I strolled hand in hand. We paused every now and then to take pictures or to examine deer, bear, or coyote tracks in the mud. As we talked and laughed together, the stress of the week melted away. I was able to focus on him, be present in the moment, and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation around me.
I was able to breathe.
To fill my lungs with the air of God’s grace and know, without a doubt, He was with me in the midst of my busyness.
When Others Come Alongside Us
I belong to a group of seven Godly women writers. They are an integral part of my writing team—mentors and friends. Each of us has a day where we are prayed over, and my day is every Sunday. The morning after my walk with my husband, I had shared my weariness with them. Weary of social media. Weary of politics. Weary of injustice. Weary of arguments. Weary of the burdens of 2020.
Just plain weary.
I shared about my husband’s encouragement to get me out of the house and a few pictures I had taken on our walk.
Two friends prayed over me, their words soaking into me as my heart absorbed every word. As I sat in church, my pastor’s sermon spoke to those weary places, leaving me encouraged to remember Who was really in control of my day. Later, I took a quick minute to scroll through Facebook, and a friend had posted a meme with one of my favorite verses:
Easing Weariness
Even in my weariness, in my decision fatigue, in the dregs of this pandemic, God is there. Instead of focusing on my to-do list, I started a blessings list:
- I’m so grateful for my husband’s ability to see when I need a break, even when I refused to see it myself.
- I’m grateful for living in an area where I can soak in God’s soul-restorative creation.
- I’m grateful for praying friends who lift me up when the weariness weighs me down.
- I’m grateful for God whose promises to give me rest.
What about you? How are you feeling today? What are you grateful for in this time of weariness and fatigue? What Godly promises are you clinging to in order to find the rest your soul needs?
This week, I’m linking up with Grace and Truth, #RaRaLinkup, and #Instaencouragements. Come join and read more encouraging posts!
Bio: Heart, home, and faith have always been important to Lisa Jordan, so writing stories with those elements come naturally. Represented by Cynthia Ruchti of Books & Such Literary Management, Lisa is an award-winning author for Love Inspired, writing contemporary Christian romances that promise hope and happily ever after. Her latest book, A Love Redeemed, released in September 2020. She is the operations manager for Novel Academy, powered by My Book Therapy. Happily married to her own real-life hero for over thirty years, Lisa and her husband have two grown sons. When she isn’t writing, Lisa enjoys family time, kayaking, good books, and being creative with words, fibers, and photos. Visit her at lisajordanbooks.com
Oh my goodness, I can relate so well to your words. My todo list and my people pleasing get me all the time. You have encouraged me to get out of the house and enjoy God’s creating. It is where I truly take a break and spend time with God.
I love your gratitude list. During November we are doing a 30-day challenge. I would love to have you join us.
Maree, I’ve struggled with the tyranny of my to-do list and with people-pleasing too. They can sap the energy right out of a body. I hope you have a chance to truly get out and enjoy some of God’s creation.
Wow! I just wrote a similar thing on my blog – about feeling overwhelmed. I love your husband’s solution – get out and get away for a while. We so need that sabbath rest to reset our perspective and feel recharged. Beautiful pictures!
Pam, wasn’t Lisa’s husband attentive? We do need that sabbath rest to reset our perspectives and to recharge. Your post about handling overwhelming circumstances was spot-on too.
Lisa, I so agree. There is something healing about being out in nature – and being unplugged! For me it’s heading to nearby parks where there are lakes and trails.I need to enjoy these bright fall days before colder weather sets in!
Jerralea, being in nature and unplugged is a recipe for refreshment. What a blessing you have parks nearby with lakes and trails! I hope you have a chance to get out and enjoy the beauty of fall before winter cools things down!
There’s just something about being out in His creation. And having like minded friends. And a wise husband. Great gifts.
Lauren, I couldn’t agree more! God’s creation, fresh air, and special people can be refreshing gifts!
It is always so wonderful to be encouraged to get outside! We can get caught up in our lists when God commands us to to rest in Him, not our completions! I hope you continue to be encouraged as you were by your husband that day.
Thank you, Lynn. My husband’s encouragement created a necessary mind shift that day–I need to keep weekends open to spend quality time with him. <3
Getting outside is so refreshing! We often forget that God calls us to rest in Him, don’t we? I hope you continue to be encouraged as your husband did for you that day!
Lisa, love this message. As a type A personality, it’s sometimes hard to rest and take breaks and let go of things that cause me weariness in body, soul, and spirit. This hit home, “My people-pleasing tendencies were colliding with my values of family and quality time.” Ouch! My husband and I try to go on adventures at least once a week and while we are enjoying each other and God’s creation, we also make videos for our YouTube channel. Just yesterday, we went to Grandfather Mountain in NC. Your photos show off God’s handiwork.
Thank you, Karen. What really hit home for me that morning was when my husband said, “I just want to spend time with you.” I knew I had to make a choice–honor my man or honor my busyness. I chose my husband. And there are days when God whispers, “I just want to spend time with you.” Again, I need to make a choice. Not always easy, but it’s always the best one.
Hi Lisa,
Yes, being grateful in our weariness really lifts our spirits. I have been telling those whom I’m grateful for in my life how much I appreciate them. Telling them exactly why in particular I appreciate them.
It’s such a joy when I see their spirits encouraged by that gratefulness.
You’re most welcome to join me in a cuppa at Tea With Jennifer.
Thankyou Jeanne & bless you both,
Jennifer
My post for today is “What’s Your Raison D’etre?”
https://teawithjennifer.blog/2020/10/23/whats-your-raison-detre/
Jennifer, I think it’s so important to share how we feel with those we love. You just never know when they need that uplifting encouragement. I’m heading to your blog now–I absolutely adore tea. <3
Another tea lover! ♥
Lisa, it sounds like you have a wise husband (and foraging for mushrooms is certainly intriguing). He knew what to do to release your mind from the business that had taken over and allow your thoughts to turn to God.
Laurie, we live in an area where mushrooms grow wild. He and our sons like to cut the safe, edible ones to be cleaned and frozen to use throughout the year. I’m not a fan. At all. And yes, he’s very wise and caring, which is why he insisted I take a much-needed break.
Thank you, Lisa, such good reminders. I am likewise blessed that my husband watches out for me & coaxes me outside to watch a sunset or enjoy God’s creation. He knows how life giving that is to me. Giving thanks when we are weary can actually renew our strength!
Donna, you’re right–rest does renew our strength. I’m glad your husband looks out for you too! <3
Funny thing, but I ain’t weary
though the cancer’s on the move;
others think I should be bleary-
eyed, but I’ve still got my groove.
I am finding it’s a choice
to take the bad, and then to run
and sing …well, no, I’ve lost my voice,
but what the hell, I’m having fun
in keeping up the games I’ve played
through the blood, the lack of breath,
and though there is price that’s paid,
I really dig it, cheating death
and being Fonz for one more day,
livin’ cool, a mighty “Aaaayyyy!”
I’m sorry to hear the cancer is on the move, Andrew, but I appreciate your positive spirit.
The photos are beautiful! And it sounds like the break was just what you needed. I think it’s so important to make time for rest even when we have a lot to do. We often return more refreshed and productive.
Thank you, Lesley. And you’re so right–it is important to make time for rest so we have the energy to keep going.
Hi Lisa … and Jeanne! Thanks for the necessary encouragement to look for blessings, to speak gratitude, to praise God for what He is doing even in the craziness.
Bless you both …
Linda, you’re so welcome. I think we all need the reminders from time to time.
I hang on to every one of His promises. They are YES & AMEN!
Yes & Amen. Most definitely! His perfect promises are unfailing.
Lisa, nature is so restorative, isn’t it? I understand the weariness, for sure, but good for you to set your to-do list aside and get out there with your husband. I’d say the verse that I’m clinging to most this year is where Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow has enough trouble of its own. It’s been so helpful–maybe even transformational–in so many areas. Wonderful post and beautiful photos!
Thank you, Lois. My husband’s action created a reactive change in my mental health–I needed that time away. And now I’m determined not to work on weekends so I have quality time with him as we explore God’s beauty around us.
Too often I find it hard to leave my to-do list and enjoy time with my loved ones. Great post and photos.
Thank you, Debbie. It can be a challenge, but the older I’ve become, the more I value the time with my loved ones. Our time on Earth is short, so I want to spend it well-lived and well-loved.
Lisa,
How fortunate we are to have husbands who will literally drag us away from our laptops. Why do we go kicking and screaming away from the tyranny of the urgent? How how wonderful to get out into God’s creation and have our weariness and fatigue wiped away with God’s refueling. Lovely post and pics!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Thank you, Bev. By moving away from my computer and into nature, I felt calmer and that pesky to-do list disappeared as I focused on being present. Both God and my husband refueled me–in different ways, but all done in the name of love.
For the past eight years I’ve started my prayer journal with a list of 6-10 things for which I am grateful—a spectacular sunrise or sunset, a bird, fall colors, spring flowers, family members or friends. There’s something so calming and stress-relieving about thanking God for his blessings.
Anita, I love that idea! Totally stealing it. When we take time to thank God for His gifts and blessings, then we’re less apt to dwell on our problems.
Sometimes when we least feel like rest is when we most need it. It’s amazing how turning from the to-do list to gratitude can change our perspective.
Barbara, you’re absolutely right–he saw what I needed even if I was blind to it. By listing my blessings, I was able to have a more peaceful state of mind…and heart. <3