Finding Selah - Book Review

The first time I met Kristen Kill was back in 2015 when I attended the Winsome Retreat. A few weeks before the event, my friend Elise and I got an email from the retreat’s host asking us if we could give a few fellow bloggers from NYC a ride. We immediately said yes! We didn’t know these women but were happy to make space in the minivan for them. 

On the morning we left, we pulled up to the train station to pick up the two women whose faces we’d only seen online. We found them, introduced ourselves, and after a quick Starbucks stop, we set out for the 5-hour drive. 

Kristen was one of those women. 

The car ride there was an absolute delight. We got to know each other quickly, and it didn’t take long for us to go deep into the conversation about family, faith, and work. I am forever changed by our time together that weekend. (We did it all again the following year too!)

It’s an honor to share my friend’s book with you today!

---

Throughout the Psalms, we find the word Selah. It’s a break in the psalmist’s cries, to pause and reflect. It’s also an invitation to rest. And in that rest, God provides a reorientation for our soul. 

In the book Finding Selah, Kristen Kill explains what Selah is and how we can experience it in our everyday. 

Through personal stories laced with the truth of God’s love and provision, she shares her experience with depression, loss, and ultimately finding peace in the one who is rest, Jesus. 

This book challenged me to let go of control and trust in God’s provision instead of what I have created for myself; to stop gathering manna for tomorrow and instead drink in the beauty and grace I’ve been given today. I was reminded that “Rest and provision are inextricably linked. Intertwined.”

This book is easy to read, and I had to stop myself from finishing it in one sitting. Much like rest itself, this book is to be savored slow, and with intention. I will be sure to revisit it often especially in seasons where busy attempts to steal my peace. 

If you are weary, stretched beyond your limits, and long for change this book is for you!

---

The Winsome Retreat hosted by Kim Hyland is taking place this year April 13-15, 2018 at White Sulphur Springs, Manns Choice, PA. Right now they are taking EARLY BIRD registrations - purchase by January 15 & SAVE $40

To read why I think Winsome is a retreat you don't want to miss click HERE.

Kids Need Rest Too

Before I learned how to rest regularly, I was a mess. As a mother of three with work and a family to juggle it seemed indulgent to rest or observe Sabbath. At the beginning of the week, I would write out my to-do list for work and home, then get busy Monday through Thursday crossing things off that list, and eventually crash hard on Friday. I was easily frustrated with myself, my kids, and my husband because I was burnt out.

When I incorporated a daily, weekly, and even monthly rhythm of rest into my life, things changed. I felt refreshed, recharged, and was able to invest in my work and my relationships.

Head over to Faith Gateway to read more about the benefits of rest and how it's just as important for our kids as it is for us.  

On Running With a Partner

My husband and I like to run before the demands of our day of day begin. That means dragging ourselves out of bed early, often when we’d much rather sleep. As the days get shorter and colder it is even harder. I wake up, get dressed, and honor the commitment we made, but only because I know I am not alone.

The Bible says that Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24).

Like a great running partner, Jesus is with me, I am not alone.

Jesus has been present since the very beginning of time. Many may think He made His first appearance in the New Testament, however, mentions, whispers, and echoes of Him can be found throughout the Old Testament. In fact, there are hundreds of clues and promises about Jesus throughout the early scriptures that are fulfilled by Him in the New Testament.

Join me over at Faith Gateway to hear about a devotional for your children that uncovers Jesus not just in the New Testament but throughout the whole Bible. 

Rhythms of Rest Book Review

In 2013 Shelly Miller started the Sabbath Society, “a group of hundreds declaring “I’m all in” when it comes to making rest realistic in our busy world.” The book Rhythms of Rest was birthed from that community.

I discovered them back in March, right around the time I decided to observe Sabbath regularly. I got off to a rocky start, but through trial and error I figured out what it looks like for me to rest, recharge, and draw closer to God in stillness. The #SabbathSociety emails and online community greatly encouraged me in my journey.

Having experienced the benefits of taking a regular Sabbath, I was thrilled to be a part of the Rhythms of Rest launch team! As a member of the team, I read the book before it was released, participated in chapter discussions, and connected with others who are excited about Sabbath and its benefits.

In our culture, many of us are stressed out and over scheduled. We often tell ourselves, “I don’t have time to rest.” We wear busy as a badge of honor and neglect what our soul and body need most in hopes of pleasing others or achieving more.

In Rhythms of Rest, Shelly Miller talks about the life-giving essence of Sabbath without being legalistic. Not only does she tell us what the Bible says about it but shares real life experiences of the #SabbathSociety community along with practical suggestions for removing the obstacles that prevent us from keeping this day set apart.

The undercurrent of the book is Shelly’s personal story of how Sabbath helped her and her family weather a season of uncertainty. You won’t feel judged when reading this book, but rather progressively awaken to the importance of consistent and intentional rest. It is a breath of fresh air amid a culture that often focuses on how to do more and be more.

Whether observing Sabbath is a new adventure or an established ritual for you, this book will encourage you set aside self-sufficiency and lean into a God who has given us the gift of rest.

I encourage you to get yourself a copy of this book, then head over to Instagram to check out the #SabbathSociety or #RhythmsofRest.

My Sabbath Experiment

A few weeks back I finally decided to take a Sabbath.

I have attempted this many times. Every once in a while, I get it right. But most weekends come and go without rest. I have many excuses.

They include:

“I didn’t get everything done that I needed to this week.”

“I can’t possibly just do nothing; there is so much that that I could be doing instead.”

“I feel guilty just doing nothing.”

I’ve tried Saturdays. It’s the only day I don’t have to rise with the sun. Sometimes I just lie in bed and read, or catch up with my husband while the kids are still sleeping. Once I am up though, I kick into high gear. My husband is home, and I subconsciously hope he will help me with unfinished projects around the house. This drive to get my house in order on Saturdays is likely a holdover from my childhood. Growing up, it was the day of the week we did chores, even Dad stayed close to home to tend the yard and do repairs.

Sunday is the day Christians traditionally observe Sabbath. However, it’s the day I naturally rev up for the week ahead. When we come home from church, I hold a family business meeting, reviews schedules, put car pools in place, and plan meals for the week. I still need to feed my family and clean up after messes.

I’ve heard people in ministry take Monday off. The thought of that makes me break out in a cold sweat. Monday is my high-stress day; brought on by my need to make a big dent in the to-do list I generated the day before.

I know what the Bible says about the subject, and I have read a few books great books on the topic, but taking a Sabbath wasn’t coming naturally to me. Then I heard a fantastic podcast from Megan Tietz and Kelly Gordon that dove deep into the importance of observing Sabbath and broke down just how simple it could be.

I was inspired to try again. Observing a Sabbath day would take intention. Years of experience showed me rest just doesn’t happen.

Just as there are peak work times for maximum productivity or creativity, I think there are, at least for me, days that lend themselves to “getting stuff done.” The reciprocal must also be is true. Certain days lend themselves to REAL REST. I just had to find which one was mine. Over and over again I tried to make the wrong days work. UNTIL I discovered it. FRIDAY.

I took cues from the natural rhythms of my life to choose a day of rest.

Typically, Friday is the day of the week I slow down. Magically, the things on my to-do list seem less urgent. I let myself sit down with my kids and watch a TV show. I call my husband and few times throughout the afternoon to see when he is coming home and drop hints about going out to eat.

Once I made the decision to set aside that first Friday, the way I thought about my week changed. I was more efficient throughout the week because I knew that I had one less day to get everything done. On Wednesday and Thursday, I even stayed up a bit late to take care of simple, but looming tasks, so that Friday would be in the clear. I made lasagna the day before, so I didn’t have to prepare a meal that evening.

In the past, I dreaded taking a day off. Now, I was looking forward to it.

In episode 39 of the Sorta Awesome podcast, Seeking Rest, Finding Delight, Kelly suggests doing the things you WANT to do, not doing the things you HAVE to do on your Sabbath. I am letting that be my guide.

Here’s’ what I did:

• I slept in a bit later than usual knowing I had plenty of time to do my devotional after I dropped my kids off at school.
• I took my time reading and praying. The house was quiet, and I didn’t worry about time.
• I went to Target and Costco. Technically it was an errand. However, it became something I wanted to do because I could leisurely walk up and down the aisles. There was no rush to get home or move onto the next thing.
• I practiced my handwriting. I have wanted to do for a long time but just never have. As a design major, we were encouraged to practice our lettering for presentations and construction plans. As a work from home, carpooling, volunteering mom, it seemed frivolous. But not on my Sabbath!
• I read through magazines with a hot cup of tea… in the middle of the day!
• I created a wine tasting game and quiz for a family birthday party we were hosting that weekend. Complete with tags, twine, and matching fonts.
• I left my house early and parked in the spot I pick my kids up from school. I pushed back my seat, soaked up the sun, and scrolled through Instagram.
• I snuggled on the couch with my kids as we watched three episodes of a series we’re binge-watching together.

My first Sabbath was a success!! I felt alive and refreshed. I also didn’t feel guilty about doing the things that I wanted to do.

For so long I convinced myself that I didn’t have time to take a day off or to pursue what gives me pure enjoyment. Instead, I avoided doing things and convinced myself that that was rest. Deep down I knew that letting myself off the hook for not getting something done was a poor substitute for rest, yet I often defaulted to it.

Instead, this time around, I acknowledged God and His divine wisdom in setting aside a day of rest. I intentionally chose a day that worked best for me. I engaged in activities that I get to do, not have to do. I relished the space that the day provided.

My Sabbath Experiment is far from over. Surprisingly, the following weeks didn’t go as well as the first day. I found that old habits still need to be broken and that I have a lot to learn about myself and what I actually enjoy.

I am looking forward to sharing with you what happened and what how I am overcoming doing life the “old” way.