The Next Thing: Rest

Last year at this time, I was finishing a difficult school year. I was tired and knew I needed to make some changes in order to prioritize my mental and physical health. I looked for remote work and moved to new cities. As I found part-time jobs here and there, I began writing a book. Time went on - more jobs, more writing. By December I had started five part-time jobs, just to get by, and had written almost the entire first draft of what would become, “Called to the Classroom: Daily Reflections for Educators.” 

The next several months were even busier. Almost every minute I was awake I was teaching online or revising and editing the book. The culmination of my efforts this year seem to have settled in the month of May. I am excited to share this book with the world. I am eager to connect with districts across the country through my job. But I am tired. As I sat down to set my monthly goals for June, the first item on my list was: rest. Yes, I have ambitions and ideas - I’m not stopping anytime soon! But I am slowing the pace for a while to create room for renewal and refreshment. 

I share all this today because I wonder if your soul may also be searching for rest. I wonder if you also feel exhausted and tapped dry of creativity and enthusiasm. They will come back - I truly believe that. But we must make room for them to feel welcome when they resurface. You and I have permission to prioritize rest in this next season. May we find grace in exploring what may lie in the openness of this time.