I’ve been on a modified break from social media, doing my best to spend time with my kids instead of scrolling through highlight reels. I’ve been showing up a couple times during the week to share encouragement and truth, but have chosen to remain mostly out of the loop.

I happened to see a post on Instagram from Annie Downs about John Eldredge’s book, Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad. It caught my eye and piqued my interest; ironically it released pre-pandemic, but I believe it’s a timely resource. It also happened to be on sale via the Kindle app (it’s currently $1.99!), so I downloaded a copy. I’ve only read the introduction and chapter one, but I’m learning the importance of pause and taking time to apply what I’m reading. Eldredge shares about the One Minute Pause app, which has proven to be a helpful and practical tool in the last couple weeks.

My family and I got to sneak away to Lake Erie for five days, to unplug and visit the beach and make new memories. We’ve spent the majority of the last five months at home, so it was a much-needed change in scenery and pace. A pause on what’s become a normal routine in our household. A time to embrace togetherness and spontaneity.

Jon’s birthday marked the middle of our mini-vacation, so we got to celebrate him as we adventured and explored. We did things we don’t normally get to do – ordered take-out for dinner, visited the zoo, rented a surrey and laughed our way around Presque Isle, watched the sun set over Lake Erie. It was beautiful, and stressful (unfortunately sibling rivalry exists on vacation). But all the planning, preparation, parental exhaustion… it was absolutely worth it. This trip felt like one big pause, like a breath of fresh air.

Savor, my #oneword for 2020, has helped me slow down, be present, and enjoy what’s right in front of me. Especially in this season.

Pause. Selah. Stillness. Rest. Sabbath. Breath. Savor. However you want to engage it, I pray you do. I hope you prioritize pause with intentionality. Life isn’t going to slow down on its own, so you have to choose to slow down.

If you have a few minutes, go read Psalm 46; note the breaks at the end of verses 3, 7 and 11. They are interludes, chances to pause in God’s presence and receive what He has for you. Many other psalms have this ‘Selah’ – this opportunity to pause and reflect.