be still

This morning I awoke after pressing snooze on my alarm too many times to count. I rolled out of bed, took a hot shower and made coffee- but it didn't take long for today’s impending schedule to stifle my peaceful morning. I know the routine all too well- class, work, study, and socializing when I get the chance. I had only been awake for ten minutes and my mind was already foggy with the thought of conquering another day. Tuesdays are usually my busy day, but today was different. This morning was different. I had two hours until my first commitment. 

So, I sat.

I sat on my favorite comfy chair in the corner of my room. I sat for two hours as I read and wrote and opened my bible. I sat alone with my laptop closed, my phone further than an arm’s length away. I sat as I sifted through thoughts that had been pushed to the back of my mind- as I do so often with things I don’t have the energy process. I sat thankful and joyful. I sat alone. I sat for a while. 

I had a conversation this afternoon with my roommate, Anna, about time alone and what it should look like in our lives compared to what society considers acceptable. We were talking about the sacredness of time alone when she said something that carries so much weight within me- "we don't know how to be still." And she has a point. It's true. I forget how to be still all the time. My phone is usually glued to my palm and I prioritize time with people over time with myself because I love being in the presence of friends. But we dwell in a society where stillness is endangered. We fill our free time with conversation and stimulation and if we aren't careful, stillness will become extinct.

In high school, fear of missing out crippled my ability to be alone. And if I’m being honest, sometimes it still does. No one wants to miss out on the action of life, and in college, it is challenging to ignore the fact that there is always something to do. It is hard to admit that my introvert tendencies are dominating my extrovert norm- but I have learned recently that time alone, stillness, is necessary for me to thrive.
Today was the perfect reminder of that.

Community is so good. Friends are great.

Companionship is a gift in this life. 

But I promise time alone is scared and beautiful and peaceful. 

It is the recharge we need to get through these hectic days that fill our time on earth. 

Cling to the stillness in your day, friends!

[source]

Winter

I'm a sucker for winter days.
Cold, rainy, winter days.
Cold days where alarm clocks don't ring and pajamas are acceptable attire.
Rainy days where obligations aren't present, but heated blankets and  Blackbird coffee are.
Days where staying in bed until noon is encouraged, simply because you can.

Mornings that are filled with muffins, good conversation and Ellie Holcomb's new CD.
Afternoons where the house is messy with blankets as a movie plays in the living room.
Nights where friends congregate to eat pizza and laugh while assembling a 1,000 piece puzzle.
The past two days have been just that. We have been out of class for a minor ice storm, and  it has felt like two Sundays squeezed right into the middle of the week- two days where rest has been abundant- and it has been good.

I thrive in this weather; maybe it's the midwestern girl that is still tucked somewhere inside me. I live for winter days where boots are used for what they were made for, where wool socks and scarves warm my body. I appreciate real winter days because they don't come often in the south, but this season I am grateful that they have been frequent. Winter days are whispers of heaven; they are pieces of perfection. Days like these are the best medicine for weariness, for tiredness, for life.

The sunshine is slowly returning this morning as icicles melt off of the power lines and trees. Tomorrow we will return to class, work, life. Winter days sneak in to Milledgeville but are quickly chased out by warm days spent on the front porch doing homework.  I'll appreciate those days when they come, too. But today I will continue to rest, to rejoice in this winter day. These days are slow and pure, refreshing and good for my soul.

Rest

Yesterday I didn't leave my apartment.

I spent all day between the walls of this home, and it sounds a little depressing- but I promise it was glorious. I slept in, cleaned my room, worked on homework, drank too much coffee. I opened my windows, lit a candle, and journaled. I napped once, then napped again. Friends filled my living room and gathered around a monopoly board, playing for hours. My friends left, but I stayed.

It was dreamy. I found something this weekend that I've been missing for quite some time- rest.

On Friday I spent two and a half hours at lunch with my good friend Krissy. We caught up on each other's lives after an exciting winter break (she's getting married!!!) and giddily shared thoughts on life as we ate tacos. And just like always, she spoke wisdom into my life. For that, I am so thankful. Among good conversation, we talked about rest and what it looks like in both of our lives.

I'll be the first to admit that rest is something I lack in my life because I don't allow it on an everyday basis. So often I believe lies that tell me I can only find rest when I go home, when I am on a break from school or on a vacation. I start to believe that there is a time and place where rest is allowed, but most days I keep it locked up when life gets crazy because society tells us we aren't supposed to slow down.

Krissy then did what she does so beautifully- she reminded me of this truth from the gospel of Matthew:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Hearing this verse was just what I needed. A reminder that rest does not come with a location or a time frame. It comes in Christ alone, it comes when we hand over our burdens because this life is messy and yes, draining. It is a fact that we are weary and burdened by this world, but we can rejoice in that because Jesus lifts our load!

Good, refreshing, soulful rest comes when we stop trying to lock it up and save it just for beach trips or breaks from school. 

Good, refreshing, soulful rest comes when we allow it to consume our everyday lives.
It comes when we look to Christ for peace because if we are being honest- sometimes our lives can be anything but peaceful.

I find rest everyday in the little things, too. I find rest in intentional conversations with good friends. I find rest in my comfy yellow, green and blue plaid chair that sits in the corner of my room by a bookshelf. I find rest in lazy weekends where I watch too much Netflix. I find it in good music and naps and long walks.

Life is crazy, but rest is good.

Happy Sunday! I hope you find rest today.

Take a moment- United Pursuit