Waving farewell to another month, I rejoice in a glance back at my August Abiding joining Heather Gerwing as she hosts a monthly feature called, Share Four Somethings, where writers share the fourth Saturday of each month something in each of four categories from the previous month.
Many readers notice I choose a theme for each month, which often reflects lessons or themes from my personal life. This month’s theme is “abiding”, which intimates a rest of sorts. My reflections on this month involve learning to rest in God’s choices for me.
Each month the four categories remain the same: something loved, something gleaned, something braved (or saved), and something achieved.
The premise delights me; the new categories falling right in line with my one word 2022 journey with Resilience! Looking back over the previous month through these four categories helps me linger with God’s goodness, and ignites my gratitude.
Something loved
Starting off my August Abiding, is the much anticipated installation of a new picture window in my livingroom area. Moving into our home four years ago, we knew the windows, though high quality, were sixty-four years old!
We have a large picture window in the open livingroom/diningroom area, and an equally large picture window in the kitchen overlooking our backyard. Since the first day of move in, I longed for the day my husband would install new windows.
My something loved happened this month with one window replacement! I absolutely love my new window, especially as my husband surprised me by ordering the prairie grids I adore. Now another two months of abiding and my kitchen window will match! Stay tuned!
something gleaned
This month offered another lesson in abiding through a recently read book entitled, “Glad You’re Here” by country music star, Walker Hayes and his best friend, Craig Cooper.
Glad You’re Here truly is a story of an unlikely friendship made unforgettable by fellowship. When Craig Cooper and Walker Hayes first meet, Hayes is an alcoholic atheist soured by a failed music career and other woes. They meet at Cooper’s church, Redeeming Grace, with a simple handshake and “Glad you’re here” by Cooper.
I loved that God was everywhere in this book without a preachy overtone. Cooper lives what he believes, bringing fresh eyes to the gospel story. He simply wants to love others like Jesus loves him: free of judgment or expectations.
In this book, each chapter is told by both Craig and Walker. A story of hardship, alcoholism, friendship, transformation, faith, and redemption, it holds you from the very first page. Meeting Hayes right where he was, along with the power of God’s love demonstrated by Cooper, shattered Hayes’ misconceptions about God, leading him on an unforgettable spiritual journey.
An emotional journey through an unlikely friendship, Glad You’re Here demonstrates the power of God’s love in the hands of a surrendered individual living the gospel in every day life.
something braved
In keeping with the theme, August Abiding, this month’s something braved moved me out of my comfort zone in a big way.
Longing for a time of true rest, I scheduled a two week hiatus from writing for the first time in over two years. Unlike many bloggers, my writing not only for my blog, but other publications falls outside of my full time employment.
Feeling the stress of maintaining multiple responsibilites, a demanding job, and writing quality content, a break from writing seemed a good idea at the time.
Things however, went horribly wrong. Distractions came out of the woodwork and most days found me more stressed away from writing than days spent creating content. Part of the problem rested with my piggybacking blog resource planning into my scheduled “rest” time.
Thinking the simple act of taking a break from writing offered enough “rest”, my dictatorial overachiever schemed to also seek God for direction on blog resources.
At the end of two weeks, feeling more haggard than at the start, having received no answers from God on my planning issues, I stamped “failure” over the entire endeavor.
A few days back into my usual routine, the lesson hit home. True rest comes from abiding in Christ; which means I stop, still, listen, and leave my agenda at the door. Despite releasing my writing, I held onto so much more, abiding became impossible. Which leads me to the next category!
something achieved
In light of my colossal failure in seeking the peace of God’s Presence, I became intentional about adding brief moments of “abiding” into my day. Rather than going the spontaneous route, I schedule specific times to stop, still, and listen.
Though only a week into my new endeavor, I noticed a distinct difference in energy, stress, and peace within my days. The Peace Pauses as I call them, encompass five, to no more than fifteen minutes, and my approach varies.
Allowing the Holy Spirit to guide my intuition, my breaks may include a brief walk outside, a few moments sitting in the sun, a cup of coffee in a cozy chair, or moments spent in deep breathing.
My favorite new addition includes reading a psalm to open and close my time. I bring no agenda, no prayer requests, and especially no complaints! My main emphasis is on listening, though I may whisper words of praise to God as I rest.
Instead of running full speed through my days, these pauses help me keep God beside me and uppermost in my thoughts, while refreshing my soul and spirit.
august abiding: share four somethings
Thank you for taking a leisurely walk back through my August Abiding with me! I am grateful to Heather for creating such a creative way to review the moments of our days which often slip by so quickly. Sharing Four Somethings is a way to savor one more time those things we loved, gleaned, braved and achieved!
But you don’t have to be a writer or blogger to enjoy this practice. Why not take a few moments and think back over YOUR August Abiding and share four somethings with me in the comments! Meet me back here at the end of September for more joyful somethings!
Donna, I’ve been doing something similar as your Peace Pauses and it does really help! Also, I want to say I heard about the book “Glad You’re Here,” on Annie F. Downs’ Podcast, That Sounds Fun. Sounds like a remarkable friendship and I am anxious to read all about it.
I’m in agreement with everyone else – you new window is gorgeous.
Jerralea, I’m truly enjoying the Peace Pauses, they help me stay focused on what’s important and keep me from overthinking! You have mentioned several things of interest from Annie Downs’ podcast, and I keep putting off listening! I really must make that a priority!
I love your new window, Donna! I’m sorry your writing break didn’t turn out how you hoped. It’s so frustrating when our plans to do something good or helpful don’t pan out how we expect, isn’t it? In my mind, though, it was not a failure at all because it led you to implement your lovely Peace Pauses. 💜Sending you a big hug this evening, my friend.
Thank you Lois for that great perspective! YES, my writing break didn’t turn out quite as I hoped, BUT it did result in the Peace Pause practice! God is always redeeming our moments committed to Him!
“True rest comes from abiding in Christ; which means I stop, still, listen, and leave my agenda at the door.” Amen! I love the idea of “peace pauses,” Donna. And your window looks beautiful. 🙂 Love and blessings to you!
Thank you, Trudy for reading! I am truly enjoying my peace pauses; they help keep my focus on God and not my daily circumstances!
Donna, I love your window – so happy for you. And your story of your break! I can relate to this. Also your peaceful pauses. Such beautiful insights! I think Your peaceful pauses would make a wonderful book!
Thank you Deborah for your kind comments…it’s good to know I’m not the only one who can’t seem to take a worthwhile writing break!! I am feeling the Lord press a book into me, but I just can’t seem to grab the exact concept yet….
Donna, the new window is beautiful. The prairie grids do make a very nice addition to them! I so appreciated all you shared about taking a writing break. I try to plan them and fail terribly. Then I came to realize sometimes I can rest by simply editing an older post and simply adding a new insight to it. It lightens the load and still gets the work done 🙂
Thank you, Joanne, I can’t wait for the exact same window to grace my kitchen in November! I have not done well with writing breaks, I have so much anxiety around my writing, I need breaks, but rarely do I benefit from them! I have recycled old posts, I’m just not sure how to do it properly-someone told me there is a specific way to update and repost without getting “penalized” via SEO or the search engines….more anxiety….
Your new windows are quite lovely! And that book sounds very interesting. I hope your writing break was refreshing for you! It’s hard to step away, but we have to keep filling our writing wells or we’ll run out of things to share.
Thank you, Megan, I truly love my new windows and am looking forward to the next replacement in the kitchen! My writing break wasn’t as refreshing as I hoped, but you are so right, we need to fill our wells so we can continue to share!
The windows look lovely – well done! #ShareFourSomethings
Thank you so much Lydia! I appreciate you taking the time to read my post!!
Well, first off – that window is a beauty! How exciting it must be not only to drive up and be greeted with a front view but also just to sit and look out such pretty windows!! Well done to your hubby!! But I really was encouraged with your something achieved. Becoming “intentional about adding brief moments of “abiding” into my day.” Amen. Such a wonderful idea….and something I “try” but truly something I need to be more intentional about. Praying you will see God’s blessing and using these brief moments throughout the week ahead!! Happy Monday!
Thank you, Jennifer, I am just infatuated with my new window, I so love looking at it when I come home AND just looking out on the yard from the inside!
I am encouraged by my Peace Pauses. I advocate to my readers to take time to “pause” throughout the day, and I often “intend” to do so, but then allow my schedule to hijack my efforts. That’s why I said I didn’t want to keep it spontaneous, but rather designate specfic times for breaks, give or take of course. And keeping them short, really helps me take the time, but even just a few minutes to re-center my thoughts on God has made a huge differnce!
Donna, your window is gorgeous!! I love it! I also love your peace pauses, a fabulous idea. I am glad it has been beneficial for you and I pray it continues to be so!
Thank you so much Cindy! I do love my new window! I’m looking forward to intentional time with God through my peace pauses this coming month!
I really love your idea of peace pauses, being intentional about taking time to abide in Christ during the day. This is something I am going to work on.
Rishie, thank you so much for stopping by to read my post! I appreciate your kind comment, I sure have been enjoying the peace pauses. I found it helps connect my days-between quiet time in the morning and evening reflection, I often felt disconnected from God. This way I re-ground myself in His Presence, wisdom and mostly His peace!
The windows look great, Donna! Thanks for the book recommendation! Big hug for the hardships experienced in your two-week break. I’m so glad you found daily Peace Pauses, Donna. They make such a difference in our lives! God is faithful to meet us – every time.
Thank you, Lisa for taking the time to read my Four Somethings! I just LOVE gazing out my front windows now!! I’ll take a hug from you any time, it’s better than feeling sorry for myself, which I did plenty of! And I’m very hopeful about my peace pauses!!