The quietness of early morning has a different feel from any other time of day. It feels fresh, new — like grace upon grace is available and no mistakes have yet been made. There is a calm and comfort in that morning light; a hope and a peace that today has every opportunity to be a truly great day. 

I love the joy of morning rituals in each season. In Winter, there is the waking under heavy blankets and fluffy down comforters; finally crawling out of bed to throw on a beloved, worn cardigan that has just the right cozy factor, like a favorite blanket held captive by a particular two-year-old; slipping on my ancient LL Bean moccasins or comfy Uggs and padding downstairs to stoke the remainder of last night’s embers and load up the wood stove with a fresh supply of locust logs; turning on the kettle for my first cup of Earl Grey tea and smelling its lovely bergamot notes in the crisp kitchen air as I place the leaves in the happy handmade pottery; singing a little ditty to Jesus while the water bubbles and boils, as I wait with anticipation for the warmth that will come to my body through a steaming mug in my hands and quick sips of hot liquid goodness on my tongue, sliding its heat down into my empty belly and warming me from within; writing my morning pages on those days I am intentional or curling up with a current read under a dove grey cashmere blanket on the couch that needs to be replaced but is oh, so comfortable… The mornings my husband is home, our routine can be different; he checks and loads the stoves; he makes my tea and brings it up to our bedroom, and I look at him through sleepy eyes, sitting up and reaching out for that perfectly hot mug while still snuggled under the covers. We laugh at my wild bed head and chat about the weather and plans for the day. Either way, the mornings are good. Quiet. Calm. But, far too often, I reach for my phone and get distracted by emails, social media, the news… And I’m recognizing this isn’t how I want to begin my day.

This week, I have jealously blocked out time for a personal spiritual retreat — a time set aside to reconnect with my heart and with the God Who knows it even more intimately than I do. A time to dream and write, read and pray, paint and take walks; to sit down by the creek bundled up in blankets and listen for that still, small voice — of my own heart and of my Abba; to purify my mind and attend to our home from a place of peace, continuing to cultivate a space in both which induces rest; to sleep or nourish myself or soak in a steaming bath in candlelight — to seek God’s face throughout the day and night in dedicated worship — which may look like those things I mentioned previously or dancing alone or singing or painting or cooking or washing laundry or scrubbing my floors or sitting still in patient expectation — whichever way He leads, without judgment or religiosity; to be fully in the flow with His wild, untamable Spirit… To practice Sabbath in the truest sense of the word, setting aside time that is separate, holy, dedicated to intimacy and rest; to seek and claim shalom for the weary parts of me; to rouse up the sleepy self who prefers distraction instead of discipline… To allow myself to be quieted by His love and attention, and to give Him the parts of me I have withheld.

I feel a tug to turn off my phone; to step away from the noise of my busy social circle as well as the social media that so easily distracts and sucks away hours of my life through scrolling and “liking” posts in an effort to connect with others and combat moments of loneliness. This stepping away will take discipline; reaching for my phone has become a nasty habit, like biting one’s nails or complaining — it’s done subconsciously and perhaps innocently enough — but it’s still unhealthy. And I want health — in my spirit, in my mind, in my body. So, hopefully you won’t hear from me over the next few days! 🙏🏻  (If you reach out through text or comment on my posts, I’m not ignoring you — I promise!😘)

Here’s to carving out time for the important things. Because life is a gift, and each morning brings with it an invitation to waking — true waking — and to practice awareness and intentionality in setting up our hearts and minds for the miracles awaiting us in the day ahead. Life is full and overflowing; we get to chose what will be our focus or distraction. Mindfulness is wisdom. Let’s pay attention to where our time is invested — is it going where you want it to go? If yes, celebrate! If not, seek to create a solution. Some ideas might be to turn off social media notifications or remove the apps altogether for a bit; hire a helper to support your parenting time or a cleaner for bigger weekly housework projects or a trustworthy office assistant to whom you can leave things so you can intentionally step aside and connect with your heart and mind in a way that’s meaningful to you. Hold yourself to what’s important to you; it’s so easy to be swept away by all the stuff that doesn’t really matter. Push the “reset” button — and do it unapologetically. Life goes on just fine, even when we pull back for an hour, a day or a week. We really do create the life we live. This week, I hope to get clear on what that full, abundant life might look like moving forward and how to proceed in pursuing my deepest longings and dreams — and, to delight in the God Who so passionately and unequivocally loves me and feel His delight in me. Now let’s get this retreat started! Catch y’all on the flip side…

Love and many blessings,

Rebekah