It’s been a minute since I’ve written in this space. (Since January of last year, to be precise.) I have been encouraged in a handful of conversations over the past few weeks about writing. So I’m going to dive in yet again.

I love to write. I’ve always loved words. Their power to capture my imagination as I was whisked away to fictional worlds like Green Gables and Narnia as a child. The way finding the words for experiences and emotions swirling within me helped me to process them. Isn’t trauma often marked by the loss of words? We hit a wall where even words can’t seem to find us and show us a way out.

I’ve been there before, but that’s not the reason for my absence in this season. I’ve been engaged in a new writing project that I’m thrilled to be able to announce, as it will be released in early October. It’s a book about something I need – and that you need – and that, in fact, we were created to enjoy.

R E S T

Wherever you are, take a moment and notice how the idea of “rest” makes you feel.

Wistful? (What you wish had more time for in your busy schedule)

Nostalgic? (You fondly remember a season in the past when you had time for such a “luxury” – maybe before kids, or before entering adulthood, or before you began the climb on the corporate ladder)

Guilty? (I know I should be resting more, but I just can’t figure out how to make this happen.)

Peaceful? (Yes! Rest helps me savor life; remember what’s good and beautiful.)

There is no wrong answer, by the way. As I write these words, I can identify with all of them. I do wish I’d make more time in my life for regular rest and that I’d live out of the grace of resting (wistful). I remember life before kids, when I did have more semblance of control over my schedule and could more easily “step away” from responsibilities (nostalgic). And oh my goodness, on the eve of completing this book about rest, I can feel so guilty for not practicing what I write (guilty). But what I’ll choose to land on is this sense of well-being that comes as I take a few moments to stop and notice the still-bright-summer-evening, to savor today’s pace that was a break in this busy week (peaceful).

It’s the absence of rest in my life that drew me to engage in writing about rest. But more about that later. Without further ado, I present to you my next book: Rest: Creating Space for Soul Refreshment. It’s part of a 31-Day Devotional Series published by P&R, with series editor Deepak Reju. Stay tuned for more details … and for now … take a moment to R E S T.