Want to hear the full episode about finding clarity with renewed purpose? CLICK HERE to listen to this content in Episode 49 of the How’s All That Working For Ya? podcast!
Why We Took a Break
I reached my breaking point a few months ago. It was near the end of July, and I found myself completely exhausted and overwhelmed. My kids had been home for more than two months at this point for summer break, and my physical health was in the toilet with medication adjustments we were having to make for my autoimmune diseases.
Hopefully, you know by now that the topics I speak about are very close and personal for me. I’m a real person with the same real struggles that plague all women. It’s not that I have this “overcome the overwhelm” thing completely under control! But I did get that “red flag” moment that let me know it was time (again) to lead here by example.
When I hit that wall of exhaustion, I knew I had 3 options.
- Do I suck it up and just power through? NOPE. Been there, done that, got burned to a crisp. More than once. Lesson learned (finally).
- Do I just quit everything that is wearing me out? Tempting, but that seems a bit extreme…
- Am I allowed to take a break, or will it all come crashing down if I step away?
Those last 2 options seem like possibilities, but I’ve learned in these situations that what I really need is some time to be still and just listen for a bit.
My kids went back to school in August, and I decided to schedule some intentional time on my calendar to rest in every possible way, get still, and LISTEN. None of this comes naturally for me – this is a very intentional effort on my part! I am with you in the trenches for this.
Listening for Guidance
Let’s talk about what listening looks like. First of all, I’m listening to God. That really just requires me to get quiet, still, and prayerful.
“Lord, let me know what’s next. What do I need to be doing? What needs to go, and what needs to stay?”
There were two words that just kept jumping out in my mind:
SPEAK and INVITE
“Speak” was not new. This word is why we have the podcast. It’s why I offer my services to go and speak to women at conferences, retreats, workshops, and ladies’ days.
But “invite” felt kind of new. It’s something that I already want to do, but it was a very specific thing that I just kept hearing over and over. Then I remembered a conversation I had with Holley Gerth back in April of 2023.
Holley and I were having coffee and talking about these big goals I had, and I was able to ask her a few questions. The one thing I clearly remember her saying to me was, “Rachel, you need to be with people.”
Podcasting, writing, and speaking into a microphone – those are great ways to get the message out. But Holley could tell that personal, face-to-face connection with other women is something I need. That just validated my dreams of going and doing these speaking events with the women in person.
And let’s not forget my passion for retreats! I have such a heart for women getting away from day-to-day life and connecting with others who understand. I feel increasingly more passionate about providing these opportunities for women who need it.
Listening to Voices That Matter
I’m also listening to the voices who get a vote in my life. I have close friends who pray with me and for me. They are walking with me towards serving God and serving others. These people get a vote.
Not every voice in your life has to get a vote on what you’re doing and how you live your life. I want you to know in your soul that there are a lot of voices out there – a lot of people telling you who you should be and what you should do – and they’ll just “should” all over you. But not everybody gets a vote on how you live your life and what you do. So let’s be discerning in that.
The other voices I listen to are yours.
You, the readers and listeners who are in this with me. Those of you who are trying to do your daily best, ready to get off the hamster wheel, and knowing that you were created with purpose, on purpose.
During this break, I asked, “What is it in this community that you love? What do you want more of that matters to you? What is most helpful and encouraging?” These are the things that you told me:
- More solo episodes where I’m sharing my life, what I’m studying in the Bible, and thoughts about getting more time, more clarity, and creating breathing room.
- Some mentioned I have a calming voice that they enjoy hearing
- More encouragement and accountability
- More truth, more scripture
A Call to Retreat and Reflection
My prayer is that you are continually blessed, encouraged, and empowered by the podcast to live each day in your God-given strengths, skills, and passions. Each one of us was created on purpose and with purpose. Stepping away to be still with God and quiet my mind was so needed, and my prayer is that you will do the same.
Allowing myself to take this time to renew my mind and spirit just makes me that much more excited for our next Renewal Retreat. At the time this post goes live, we are only 2 ½ weeks away from the next retreat – and there are still a few beds available! Maybe reading about my intentional time away from the chaos of life has left you wishing you could do the same – so I’m here, once again, to give you that permission slip. Visit the info page to get all the details about our Renewal Retreat. You can jump in as a last-minute sign up, or you can join the waitlist and be the first to know when our next retreat is happening!
If you just need a tangible thing at home to see and use for that quiet time each day, there are a few journals I’ve created for exactly that reason. There is one for moments of gratitude, one to celebrate your daily wins, and several where you can just dump your thoughts or prayers. Let me know if there’s one that speaks to you!
It means so much to me that you are part of this community! I never recommend anything to you that I don’t truly love and believe is worthwhile. Some of the links I share are affiliate links, and I will earn a tiny commission if you go through them to make a purchase. It’s no extra cost to you, and buying through the links I share is one small way you can support this ministry and our podcast.
