Refueling

I started writing my first book at the beginning of the pandemic, just a few years ago. When I had the published work in my hands I had no plan for what was next, aside from trying to share the book with as many people as I could. When I was approached to write a second book I was shocked, it was only a few weeks into the release of my first. I said yes and was on my way to another whirlwind of writing. My second book wasn’t even published before I was contacted to write a third. In the midst of writing these three books I was also developing online content, free devotional studies, scripture reading plans as well as speaking to women’s groups and doing podcast guest spots.

The past several years have been a time of extreme output from my mind, mouth and fingers. Words have left my body at an alarming rate. And so, this winter as I’ve found myself in the sweet space between major projects I’ve looked at restructuring my work schedule. With so much going out I realized it was time to set aside space to take things in—to listen to interviews, to dive into studies, to sit and listen rather than worry about what might be typed or said next. It’s a scary endeavor to set aside a day to have less to show for what I’ve done, but I know that if I only pour myself out, without filling back up, I will end up empty.

Emptiness is a place that many of us find ourselves at some point in our life. Maybe we have given over too much to our children without finding ways to nourish ourselves. Partners, friends, work, idols—we give parts of ourselves to many things each day. When we neglect to find the space to pour back in, we dry up, no longer able to be the person we were created to be.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28

Where are you feeling empty?
How can you make a small change to start to fill yourself back up?