July 2026

As I shared last month, I recently left my position as a hospital chaplain.  Now that the change is made and the emotions have settled, I’m noticing some shifts in my physical experience.  A slight release in my neck; deeper breathing; increased energy; more restful sleep.  I feel tangibly lighter.  These physical signs point to a reality I previously denied:  I had been living in a nearly constant state of stress.  Now my nervous system finally feels safe enough to relax. 

This realization hit home during our annual family gathering at Lake Michigan.  In past years I’ve felt exhausted and irritable, finding it difficult to appreciate the slower pace of vacation.  This year felt different.  I arrived relaxed and open, ready to fully enjoy the trip.  I didn’t bring a to-do list of schoolwork or writing projects to finish.  I didn’t fret about the kids staying up late.  I took naps when I felt like it, read novels for fun, played in the waves, and enjoyed quality time with my family.

The spiritual term for what I’m experiencing is Sabbath—a sense of time that is spacious and sacred.  I wrote a chapter on Sabbath in Sacred Balance, but my life at the time was a poor example.  I was working full time, raising two young children, going back to school, and writing a book.  Rest was just another item on my to-do list.  I acknowledged the need for it, but never fully embraced it.  Often it was forced on me by exhaustion or illness.  Then, as soon as I could manage, I would dive back into busyness.

This new season is different.  I am actively pursuing the things that nourish and rejuvenate me.  I’m listening to my body and leaning into a slower rhythm.  I’m learning to trust that the world doesn’t fall apart when I stop managing every detail.  And along the way I’m savoring the fruits of my rest.  I’m finding more joy and fulfillment in my relationships.  I’m tapping into new sources of creativity.  I’m appreciating the abundance of all that I have been given.  Sabbath is more than just rest.  It’s a way of being that stands in contrast to the constant pressure of our lives.  And if you’re anything like me, you need it more than you realize.

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I had a lovely chat with Fran Caudron, host of the Hopenning podcast. Check it out!

You can also read Fran's substack HERE

https://youtu.be/6wUt6vn1-rQ?si=uBeW1n0NZjDbVhsD