Weekly Dose of Encouragement: Implement Margin to Be Refreshed, Replenished and Restored

Keep building.

Taking breaks or needing some time off, does not mean you are failing. Taking time to rejuvenate is a smart move. You can gain a different perspective, and your creativity can increase when you allow margin into your schedule. 

Implement margin or if you can block off time to be refreshed, replenished, and restored. Then, get back in the game. All work and no time to disconnect can leave you dry and lead to burnout. Use these times to abide in the Lord. In other words, rest in Him. Sit in His presence, and wait for Him. For He will surely meet you as you quiet down the noise in your mind. 

Carve out, schedule this time otherwise it most likely will not happen. This time is about being and not doing. It does not mean that you are lazy, or that you use that time vegging out all day (although there are certain times we need just a veg day.) This is a strategic time to get refreshed, replenished, and restored. This may look like eating high protein meals, taking a leisurely walk outside, going to a park and observing God’s beautiful nature, or sitting with a cup of coffee or tea and waiting in stillness before the Lord. 

This time is about resetting the rhythms in your life to one of work and Sabbath. 

Your flesh may fight this time, but resist your flesh to always be doing. I actually took this time over the weekend, and I feel so completely refreshed and energized. Yes, it was initially difficult for me to resist the urges to do various things that I thought I needed to be doing. I am so thankful I took what I call a “staycation.” Just for the weekend, but it was more than enough time. I try to plan on at least one “staycation” per month. 

You know what happened on the 3rd day of my staycation? 

As me and my husband were sitting in the living room having a sweet time of worship, a wind came through the house and surrounded us tangibly. We both felt the Holy Spirit around us.Laughter broke out between us, and such joy. My dog even began to jump and race around the house. We all felt the tangible presence of the Holy Spirit, right there in our own living room. I may have missed this “slice of Heaven” if I would have been busy doing (like I usually am). I have to give myself permission to stop sometimes and just be. 

Perhaps you need to give yourself permission to stop and just be.