Take a Sunday Stroll

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

I didn't grow up "in the church" as my husband did. The son of a preacher, Coach never missed a Sunday, or even a Wednesday. We tease him that not only was he there every time the doors opened, he was the one unlocking them. His Bible knowledge is incredible! Hearing him sing hymns — especially the traditional ones — warms my heart, oftentimes bringing tears to my eyes.

Even though my childhood Sundays looked different from Coach's, they were still filled with a sense of peace and an appreciation for God's hand in creating this lovely world.

As a child, my favorite Sunday activity was driving around town, looking at the same neighborhoods we saw everyday, admiring the same yards week after week, and pointing out little changes and whatever caught my eye as beautiful.

I miss the Sunday stroll.

THE SUNDAY STROLL

Ecclesiastes 3:1 is pretty famous. There is a time for everything. I believe Sundays are a special time, a sacred time. A time to pause.

Whether this Sunday begins around the breakfast table with your family, or sitting in your regular pew with the congregation, or meeting friends for brunch, or clocking in at your job, or getting home from working a long shift overnight, slow down. Carve out a few minutes. Take a deep breath. Pause.

Maybe take a Sunday stroll, either walking in your neighborhood or driving around town. Take — yes TAKE, as in snatch, grab, grasp, and hold onto — some time for relaxation and enjoyment. Simply because life is lovely and you deserve it.

PAUSE

In Psalm 46:10, the Bible also tells us to "Be still..."

It's okay to do just that, to stop, to look around, to listen, to pray, to think, to dream, to notice the beauty and blessings and bounty all around. Sounds easy, right? And yet, being still can be a challenge. Silence can be a challenge. Stopping is sometimes very challenging. I'm no expert or therapist, but I would love to be your encouragement 🙏

Pause

Here are my very favorite ways to force myself into taking a break. Individually, each one requires little committment...really just a few minutes of life, unplugged and moving at a slower pace.

Collectively, though, this list garners real power. Like a snowball the benefits of pausing accumulate the more we pause.

Want more inspiration to take a little break? 

I have a BINGO card for that 🫶

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR PAUSE BINGO CARD

Prefer a printer-friendly version? I have one of those, too 🙌

PRINTER-FRIENDLY PAUSE BINGO CARD

Dear Lord, thank you for this day. I pray I make the most of it, not in how much I accomplish and how many tasks I check off any list, but rather in my recognition of the day being a gift and my being present in such a beautiful blessing. God, train my eyes to the beauty and peace and love you've sent my way. In Jesus' name, amen.

With love and hugs,