A dear friend, who was almost like a third grandmother to me, had a favourite saying that she would often repeat.
The saying was, “Take time to smell the roses.” You've probably heard it before.
As the years have gone by, I've come to really appreciate the truth of that saying.
We live in a world that is constantly urging us to run faster.
We feel like if we don't run at the pace of everyone else, we're going to be left behind.
The pressure to produce and consume at massive rates is very real.
There is a place for keeping up with the times and doing things as efficiently as possible.
But sometimes, it is far more beneficial to stop.
Be quiet.
And just know that God is God.
Sometimes, you can do more sitting still and being quiet than pounding out 2,000 words.
On a practical level, our brains need those times of quiet and rest in order to recharge. We can't constantly be exhaling mentally. We've got to take time to inhale as well.
Your creativity will burn out really quickly if you don't take time to be quiet. To read good books. And simply enjoy the ordinary blessings around you.
One of the tragedies of busyness is that it can make us starve spiritually without even realizing it. When you're starving spiritually, it becomes much harder to feed others through your writing.
If I'm honest, this is a trap that I’ve often fallen into. There's always more to do.
But I've started to slowly but surely learn the truth of the statement that sometimes less is more.
There is so much in Scripture about waiting and being quiet.
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
“My soul, wait silently for the Lord.” (Psalm 62:5)
“In quietness and confidence will be your peace.” (Isaiah 10:15)
So, if you have a really busy, productive life, I highly encourage you to prioritize finding a way to give yourself breathing space every day, or at least once a week.
This might mean making some sacrifices. You may have to leave certain things undone.
But you will find that you can do far more when you are regularly taking time to stop and think than when you are running and running and running.
Efficiency is a wonderful thing. Hard work and productivity are wonderful things.
They are God's gifts to us, but God has also designed us to need rest.
He himself set us an example when He rested from His work. It wasn't because He was tired, but it was because it was time to stop working.
And all of us need time.
Time to stop, think and smell the roses.
Speaking of smelling roses...
A whole lot of things have happened in the last couple of weeks and I find myself having to unexpectedly make a difficult decision.
This is some of what's been happening:
One of my family members has been diagnosed with cancer.
I found out that some of my other family members are going through a really tough time and need all the support I can give them.
I launched a course for writers that is going well, but that's requiring an extra chunk of my time.
I have the opportunity to get my book assessed by one of my favourite authors, but it means meeting a tight deadline.
Some good things, and some very, very hard things.
I wasn't expecting to have to do this, but I've made the tough decision to take a break from Substack so that I can process everything that's happening, provide maximum support to the people who are paying me for it, and be there for my family as much as possible.
I'm hoping it'll only be for a month, and during that time, I'll still try to post in Notes if I can.
But I don't know for sure what lies ahead...
I will still be keeping up with paid posts as I know some of you bought a year's subscription.
I appreciate you all so much and you're such a blessing and inspiration!
Christian Wordsmiths is by no means shutting down! And I hope to be back soon.
But this is a time for practising what I preach and trusting that God will give me time for what He wants me to have time for.
And right now, my first duty is to my family.
Thanks for your support and encouragement!
Keep writing, and keep spreading the light!
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