A Brain Vacation


July was an extremely crazy, out of control month in my world. With the arrival of a new grandbaby, company, visiting patients in the hospital, deadlines both at work, and academically, I hit a period of needing to pull back. I was asked in a comment last week, “Where are you.” Well, I was hiding. Thank you Sojourner for asking.

My brain decided to take a holiday from the numerous stressors that had build up before, and within the month of July. With this vacation of the brain, the creative process that I needed to write on the blog went completely on hold. Even reading has been an interesting experience, I just could not comprehend what I was trying to understand. Try reading a 600 page Theological book when you are in this place of numbness. I told my husband yesterday, my brain just does not want to click into motion to catch the creative sparrows that flutter around within my mind.

Yesterday, while writing I felt like the imaginative thoughts were flying so fast, yet I just could not catch them to make sense of what needed to be written. With my brain vacation experience, I had the chance to reevaluate what is important and what things need to be completed or released in my life.

I have come to one conclusion: Christ needs to come first, which means more time in God’s word and prayer. If I am feeling overwhelmed with responsibilities, I than need to remember this is a signal it is time to reevaluate my commitments. In the fall, all new ministries and responsibilities will need to be in alignment with bringing balance (time with Christ) not craziness. Changes are coming to my fall schedule.

Blogging for me has been a joy, and brings balance. It is wonderful to meet people from all over the world and to touch others by sharing our life journeys. I am here, just quiet and learning by spending more time at the feet of Jesus. Simplicity is my desire.

I have been writing three daily hard copy pages in my journal, so there are great thoughts to go back to when the time is right. Oh, I need to say that some pages are full with, "How will I ever write three pages?" or "God help me, I have nothing to write."

I will be slow at writing on the blog over the next few weeks, I am still completing over due papers, then Murray and I will be going north to hide from all responsibilities for a week. We both need to turn off the noise.

I have a confession: I seem to be addicted to the craziness of life, and making life simpler is not easy.

Has your life felt overwhelming with responsibilities? How have you taken a break this summer and in what ways are you making life simpler?

Heart Prayer: Jesus you call us to come, follow you, and to experience life the way you desire for us to live. For each person who is reading this post help them to draw near to you and to experience rest for their soul by spending time with you. Thank you that your way is easy and light. Reveal to us what needs to be completed or released from our life. Thank you for these thoughts and the ability to write them down. Jesus I love you and in your name I pray. Amen.

Matthew 11:28
"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."

Love to all, Robin

Comments

Alleluiabelle said…
My Dear, Dear Friend,

I certainly relate to what you are saying. My craziness has been with health issues for both myself and my husband, it's been consuming, but we have been given so much grace. Prayers are certainly being felt. I am writing as I feel led to write as it has been difficult at times when so much around me(us) is going on. God has been leading me to read through Romans the past few days, thus posting on that was led by Him for others.

I just love you. I truly do. You are one of the first of my blogging friends that I met and will continue to remain dear in my heart. I will continue to come by here for sure as I learn so much from you, so much.

May God's hand continue to guide you through the chaos in life and may we all be still and know that He is God and listen, just listen to what He has to say during the quiet times...and through reading His precious Word.

Love, Hugs, Blessings & Prayers,
Alleluiabelle
Warren Baldwin said…
Simplify, YES!

You are in an important phase of ministry right now. I call it "the ministry of study." Actually, this ministry will characterize the rest of your life. But as you are taking these classes, writing papers, you are already in ministry of sorts, the ministry of study and preparation. It deserves what you are trying to give it - your very best!

God bless. Blog when you can, but always do what you must. The rest can wait.

wb
Andrea said…
AMEN! Christ must definitely come first.
Blessings and prayers, andrea
Robin said…
Alle, you are such an encourager!
Thank you for including me in your blogging friends and stopping bye regularly.

Andrea you have been a faithful encourager also...thank you for your blessings and prayers.

Warren, it is good someone understands. It is an amazing thing to be in a place where I only have a desire to read God's word not all of the other voices around me. However, the other voices are good, but this is a time of grounding, solid grounding in God's word. I have the background down to comprehend and understand at a deeper level. I like your term, "Ministry of Study." I believe it might even be more than that! The Ministry of Learning to Listen. You are right I need to give this season my best. I have been studying 1 Timothy closely, wow, what an amazing book. To minister out of love, with a clear conscience, pure heart, and sincere faith as Paul reminds Timothy...is my desire.

Please pray I will finish my two papers on Pastoral Ethics this week so the break next week will be sweet.

This is the last summer I will have to write papers...I have taken classes in the summer for four years now.

Pax My friends...
Beth in NC said…
Sounds like you are definitely getting your priorities in order. I can speak out of my own experiences that being is a place of stillness has been a foreign place.

I pray God will restore and refresh you.

Blessings,
Beth
babYpose said…
Rest if you must, never quit. Brain is looking forward to climbing the mountain or walk the Camino in Spain :) Thots and prayers.
Lauralee said…
I enjoyed reading this. It can be tough trying to keep things simple sometimes. I think everyone has those days. I know I could probably use a break myself. Thank you for your thoughts.
sojourner said…
Yep! I get this. I figured you were buried in books and papers and wanted to let you know you were missed :0) God has been whispering this to me as well: "Christ needs to come first, which means more time in God’s word and prayer." That is why I created my new blog. Trying to get back into the word and listening to what God has to say. Thanks for letting me know you could not leave a comment - the problem has been corrected. I too need to gird up for the fall semester. Enjoy your time away and come back refreshed!
Unknown said…
>>I am here, just quiet and learning by spending more time at the feet of Jesus. Simplicity is my desire.<<

mmmm... yes. I hear you. and love you. come and have a simple afternoon with me my friend.
Robin said…
My friend, you are right I need to come...I can't however until after the 20th. My mother is coming, I still am finishing those you know papers, and Murray and I am going away for five days alone. The first time to go on a holiday alone. Yeah, we have traveled but always for work not this time. We are going to rest.

I work on Sunday, then we are off. Then my mom, then work...then I will come...for a day break.
Robin said…
PC thanks for your love it encourages me...along with the other awesome thoughts on this post!

Popular posts from this blog

Open Wide Your Heart

Thoughts from Philippians 1:3-11

Control