Did you know that nearly eight years ago the ministry of Exploring Peace began? It's always been an invitation for your breath, body, and spirit - long before my devotional book was released last year.

In 2010, I thought Exploring Peace was simply a blog name. Yet it is so much more than a blog. It is an invitation to journey with God. It is an invitation that reaches beyond myself and touches many, many more than I ever fathomed. What a humbling journey to invite others to explore the gift of God's peace with their whole self. This is one journey I truly ENJOY. And one that sometimes I forget to pause and savor for myself.

You may remember, my word for the year is ENJOY. Can you believe 2018 is now more than halfway over? Our family was surprised in a big way this summer. We moved to a "new" home (it's 100-years old) in a location where God had fantastic neighbors already surrounding us. I've now packed and moved BOTH a home and a yoga studio this summer. And, I'm tired. My body and my spirit are in need of dedicated time for ENJOYing some REST. 

Me: How can I rest? There is no time to rest. There are still boxes to unpack..and...and...and.
God: Ummmm. Well, I am fairly certain we have talked about this at length, Whitney. Remember that theme on Rest you penned (see page 94-95 in the devotional book I inspired and please directly note Psalm 127:2). 
Me: Oh, yes. Oh, yes. Oh, yes. Ressssttttttt. 

As of this month, Exploring Peace Ministries is now an LLC. This means as an official ministry, it's definitely more than a blog. It means I have worked hard behind the scenes investing time and energy to be a good steward of the work God has called me to do. I'm so grateful for your continued support and encouragement! With this nudge and your grace, I won't be posting in the Exploring Peace online community for the remainder of the month and while I'll be sharing some photos on social media, it will only be once per week. This means, I need your presence, your support, and your prayers here online more than ever because this ministry is in such the early stages (keep reading on how you can offer support in July, please?).

You CAN find me in the studio teaching my regularly scheduled classes. And after Wild Goose Festival, you may find me on my porch reading a good book or two (or three or four!) or studying for my current yoga teacher training as I grow as both a student and teacher, or writing (because I have some ideas brewing). However, you won't find me much online again until August (okay, I will post a few pictures along the way, but then I'm signing off!). That's the main space I've clearly been invited to rest from for now.

Wild Goose Festival is the perfect place to practice my daily unplugging (because there is not much cell service in Hot Springs, NC). I'm committing publicly to log off to REST and ENJOY July because accountability is key and community is important. And, otherwise, I probably would not log off at all. Whew, admitting the truth hurts. I love social media and the connection and community I find with you online, so I will definitely be back soon.

The challenge? 

I'm committing to log on only once per week to offer REST for my #BreathBodySpirit in July.

Your challenge is to post any image with the #BreathBodySpirit hashtag that connects with one of the 40 themes from the devotional book (click here to download the book's appendix and find a theme that inspires YOU this month).

When I return to regular postings on social media in August, I hope to see lots of #BreathBodySpirit hashtags because one of you will be receiving a Breath Body Spirit shirt as well as a handmade aromatherapy bracelet to say thanks for supporting this ministry and offering me a bit of encouragement as I find some sabbath REST on this journey with God.

Will you join me?

I've not written in a while. At least not at my blog. Or, anywhere really. I recently put my pen down (yes, I still write with pen and paper) and picked up markers instead. The markers were sort of a desperate attempt at sabbath - to reboot my soul after a challenging summer and a truly full season of my writing being released in three publications this year (one of which was my first published devotional book - for which I'm truly grateful). 

My friend, Dana, also released a book this year. It turned out her book was released into the world 38 days after her mother passed away in the care of hospice. The book was dedicated to her mom (prior to Dana knowing her mother was terminally ill or that she would only be around long enough to hold an early release copy). And so, Dana was invited into releasing For Sabbath's Sake into the world at a time when she needed sabbath more than ever - to honor her mom and her own grief. Dana shares her wisdom not only in her words but also in her actions and I'm so honored to see her live into sabbath since her mother's passing. She inspires me to remember sabbath is not a far-off dream. Think about your practice of keeping sabbath. Do you regularly keep sabbath? Is it invited or forced? Is it a set day of the week you honor or keep? Is there any sabbath space in your life? Or, does it occasionaly slip away like mine accidentally did?

My recent sabbath experience extended beyond an anticipated Sunday afternoon nap. It was not expected and actually bumped into weeks of other plans. Yet it was necessary beyond measure. Since it was uninvited by me yet clearly mandated by my body, it even included some anxiety (what about this commitment or that duty?). The more I'm honest about the fact that anxiety took hold during my recent sabbath experience, the more I realize how many of us struggle with anxiety on a regular basis. And, when that emotion hit, I panicked.

The standard tools in my tool box for soul care (writing, meditation, yoga, labyrinth walks, and retreats) offer me sabbath rest and recharge. Yet they have also become my work and I realized they were not companioning me as they had in the past. This made me anxious. Thankfully, I had some new tricks up my sleeve and per a little rest and relaxation (and even a bit of Netflix), I pulled out a new pack of markers for my newly embraced sabbath plans. And, wow! Was I surprised. Inviting in a new spiritual practice allowed me to hit the reset button and truly discover a new rhythm of sabbath. I began with a beautiful wall art poster I found at Ten Thousand Villages as well as the Upper Room book, Praying with Mandalas.

At first, I was impressed with the markers themselves. Each stroke swiftly glided across the paper with vivid color as my mind relaxed and I let go of my task list. And an amazing thing happened as the colors filled the page, I began to find rest in God's presence. My mind had been overflowing for weeks (okay, months). I was not sleeping well and my body barely desired movement (something I regularly long for). Yet with each stroke of the marker, a new tool was added to my tool box. I began to relax and unwind as I savored this quiet time with God.

And, then...I started to dream.

I'm not talking about dreaming into the future (this is a norm for me, I am always dreaming up new ideas). I'm talking about dreaming in the present, in my sleeping hours. The kind of dreams you wake up from and wonder what they had to teach you or what they may be inviting you to in the new day. Once embraced, God allowed me to find true rest when my head hit the pillow during this time of sabbath. True rest, which had recently been just a dream was a reality of the present. My nights were filled with dreams, dreams, and more dreams. Not all the dreams made sense nor did I remember every detail. Yet the dreams surfaced and my body and my soul found rest.

Sabbath is not a dream. Sabbath invites dreams. Sabbath does not have to be forced or uninvited. Sabbath may be a day a week. Sabbath may be a season. Yet how could I forget? Sabbath does not have to be a far off dream. Maybe you need this reminder too? Pick up your markers (or some other new tool for your own unwinding) and embrace your sabbath dreams with God.

​Sabbath: the seventh day of the week observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening as a day of rest and worship by Jews and some Christians; often observed on Sunday among Christians as a day of rest and worship; a time of rest; abstaining from work

There is simply something about summer that leaves me yearning for quiet, slow, sunny mornings and extra time under the stars late at night. Somehow, exploring Sabbath rest comes more easily in the summer. The days get longer and time seems to slow down, even though my task list, chores, and never ending ideas continue no matter the season. Yet, summer days help me embrace the concept of Sabbath a bit more freely than other times of the year.

I don’t know about you, but my Sabbath time is not often scheduled on one set day of the week as the definition suggests. Since my retreat and workshop work often continues throughout the weekend, it’s challenging to always find Sabbath on Sundays. Many of us work varied hours, and those of us who are caregivers or parents know this type of work cannot be unscheduled on certain days. Those who work in the church or other ministry settings often share with me that Sunday is far from a day in which they abstain from work. Can we, too, discover Sabbath rest and might it be easier than expected in the summer?

Amidst the ongoing duties of life, new rules seem to take effect in the summer for our family. Or, maybe it’s less rules? A teen who calls to stay over and spend the night at his grandmother’s house rather than come home (he knows his room looks like a tornado hit and avoids this duty at all costs), yet I agree. A newsletter that has a deadline, but instead, a yoga mat, some homemade kombucha, and a lovely back porch (from where I cannot escape the loud construction of a new home next door) call more loudly and I easily unplug. And a day that should have involved household cleaning - instead I find myself loading my Kindle with tons of library books.  Free fiction and summer - that’s my Sabbath.

Today I sat in silence and wondered - rest and worship come easy for me. Yet why is it sometimes hard to abstain from work? Is it because there are so many great ideas brewing in my creative heart? There are not enough hours, even on a long summer day to tackle everything God has planted inside me (and the stuff I avoid too, like laundry). How do I step away from "work" and lean in to my own soul care? Here are five soul care tips for exploring Summer Sabbath:

1. Sun Soaking: Get outside and soak up the sun (as a melanoma survivor, I do also urge you to please wear sun protection and sun safely). Yes, the sun is so good for you! There is a physical longing our bodies have for sunshine and the Vitamin D it offers. Also consider the fact that our Creator offers this miracle of the sun each day. Don’t let this pass. Get outside and soak up God’s gift of the sun.
2. Sleep Patterns: As tempting as it is in the long days of summer, keep your bedtime and morning routines. Our bodies need sleep. God designed us for rest. And just as Sabbath rest is important to our spiritual life, daily physical rest through sleep is vital. Your body was not designed to continue on without sleep. Embrace sleep in healthy patterns and offer your body a regular rhythm of bedtime and rising, offering space for your body and your spirit.
3. Social Boundaries: Connect with others and know when to disconnect too. I love social media. It allows me to connect with those near and far. I can stay connected and in touch with those who I would never otherwise have the opportunity to connect. Choose when you interact online, and also find times to purposely log off from your social media interactions. This boundary on your time allows you to be present with those around you and with your Creator.
4. Senses and Sounds: Our bodies are miraculous, right? We often sense far more than we process. Slow down to really sense how that fresh berry tastes in your mouth. Discover how the grass feels between your toes. Notice the sounds of nature or your favorite musician. Our senses allow us to turn many ordinary moments into sacred opportunities. What do you notice around you today and how could you capture this?
5. Silly Fun: Have some silly fun! Seriously, I know what it feels like to have to work at having fun. This step does not come naturally to me, yet it’s getting easier! The more you practice this, the easier it will become. When was the last time you laughed - really laughed? What brings you joy? Find some silly fun this summer. God created you for delight!

This summer I am definitely not tossing my ideas or creative spirit - these are not work. I am exploring Sabbath rest and discovering time apart from work (like my computer screen) more freely. I desire to embrace soaking up the sun, sleeping plenty, keeping safe boundaries for my social media time, savoring my senses, and discovering plenty of silly fun! Will you join me in this and keep me accountable as well?  
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What does your summer Sabbath look like? How do you make space away from your work? Is that easy or difficult in this season of summer? 

By the way, I was inspired to write this post as one of my fellow Upper Room authors, J. Dana Trent, is releasing a book on the topic of Sabbath this fall. I’m excited to dive in (I might just get a sneak preview, one of the perks of “working” alongside her). Yet reading her words will not be work for me. Sabbath, this summer I’m ready to embrace you! Stay tuned for the release of For Sabbath’s Sake!

Every time I start to get overwhelmed, I am reminded to rest.  And yet, my initial response is that I have too much to do to rest.  You know the drill.  The kids, the job, the house, the family, the friends, the church, the place you volunteer down the road, or even the shelter downtown - they ALL need you!

Guess what?  They do need you!  Without you, there will be no one to fold the laundry, help with homework, kiss the boo-boos, build friendships, give to the church, or volunteer in the community.  But, here is the big news flash!  You don't have to do it all at once and you aren't expected to do it all when you are exhausted.

We need rest.  God designed us to rest.  He even rested.  He tells us that he will give us rest!  So, why do we think that we are special and we do not need to rest?  If you are guilty of forgetting to rest and take care of yourself, you are not alone.  This has been a skill set I have been working on for quite some time.  What is interesting is that many of us simply don't know where to start.  Most of us have not been modeled rest or taught well how to rest by our society.

So, I'm sharing some small changes I've made to incorporate rest in my life and hope that by sharing my list it may help you to expand your list.  Read it through, get some ideas and get some rest!  

• Hang windchimes on your deck, patio or outside your front door for a calming reminder.
• Get away alone or with your significant other.  Vacations are great.  But, let's be honest...if you have children, you are more exhausted after vacation than you were before you left.  If a full day or weekend is impossible, ask a friend to help help with the kid(s) and get away for a few hours.
• Take a bath.  Add a few drops of lavender oil.
• Ask for help with the laundry, the house, etc.
• Steep a cup of hot tea.
• Move.  Do some yoga, dance alone or with the kids or take a walk.
• Sit still.  Yes, just sit there for 5 minutes and do nothing (don't even think about checking your phone)!
• Listen.  Go outside and enjoy the sounds of the leaves falling, the birds or the crickets.
• If you have easy access to the internet (which I assume you do if you are reading this), download the Pandora app on your computer or phone and add a classical station or some music from Deuter.
• Think.  Journal or read.
• Breathe deeply.  Most of us don't breathe deeply.  Use your diaphragm and breathe into your entire being.
• Eliminate noise.  Turn off the radio, television or even that Pandora station if you're simply feeling like you may explode due to over-stimulation.
• Unplug.  Turn off the alerts on your phone and computer and resist the urge to check in to see what you may have just missed.
• Go to bed!  Yes, this may sound pretty simple but it is proven that our bodies need sleep to refuel.
• Get a hobby and discover what you love.  Learn to knit, sew, play an instrument, paint or take pictures.  Doing something can be restful and rejuvenating, if you are doing it to rest rather than keep busy!  I am finding that I like to re-purpose old things for new uses, it is fun and inexpensive!

You may think that it is impossible to get away with God and find rest in today's society with all that is resting on your shoulders.  But, it really is possible.  And, in the long run, you may just find you are more productive.  Or, you may find that the less important things in life just fall right off your list.  What gives you rest?

I'm signing off to go stretch and then sleep while the dishes await!  Happy rest!