I made an important decision last week. I decided that I would not take my laptop on our vacation to Florida. Our last trip which was supposed to be some work and mostly vacation ended up being way more work and not enough vacation. I didn’t want a repeat. I’m ready for a true vacation and rest. My laptop is staying at home and so is Andrew’s.

It is so easy to think that tending to some small work matters on vacation won’t have a big impact; but those small things keep us tethered mentally and emotionally to our obligations and get in the way of being truly free to sink into rest and renewal.

There are so many gains when we are willing to be intentional about carving out time and space for rest and renewal. Allowing our brains to quiet from the usual work and hubbub gives us mental rest. The quieting of our brains makes it possible to experience deeper physical rest. We have space to explore and play in less encumbered ways, which in turn makes space for discovery and creativity.

Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggeman describes the practice of sabbath-keeping as “an act of resistance against having one’s life defined by one’s productivity.” Productivity has value and its place, but it is too narrow of a measure to capture our worth and the rich dimensions of our full person.

During our time away, I intend to breathe deeply of the warm, humid air. I intend to laugh and play, to eat good food and enjoy my family. I intend to read and nap and probably watch Encanto for the 85th time. I intend to drink coffee while working on a puzzle. I intend to let my mind slow and and move with the rhythm of rest, renewal, and relaxation.

All of this becomes more possible because of an intentional decision to release the tethers of “go, go, go” and leave my laptop at home.

🌱 What intentional decision or action could help you carve out space for rest and renewal in the near future?