An August Pause

FROM THE DESK OF IELA GALIANO-WILLIAMS

Do You Need

A Pause Button?

Every August for as long as I can remember, my parents took a break from ministry. My Dad would say goodbye to our church for three weeks, and my Mom would take a month off from seeing directees.  

At times, this involved some difficult “nos”, but you know what? Everything was okay. Those they cared so deeply for were still there ready to welcome them back in September.

Recently the refrain, in order to care for others, we also have to care for ourselves, has continued to surface in my orbit in different locations. And it is true! When we feel refreshed, we often show up much more free and lovingly for those we care for.

HOWEVER, I have also been feeling a little twinge of cringe when 

I hear this statement lately. It feels like it has transformed into a way of trying to justify taking rest, or doing something for our own nourishment, when really we don't need to justify it at all…

YOU are worth caring for in and of yourself. We are not made to go at full speed all the time. You can take rest, or do something life giving, simply because you want to, not because you need to refuel to be used again. Taking time to be in God's presence, and delight in the world around us and who God made us to be, is part of how we are designed.

I'm not saying we shouldn't be conscious of how we are showing up for others. Sometimes, we have to put aside our own desires or needs to care for someone else. This is good and beautiful. But if we're doing it all the time, we may want to press pause and get curious as to why, and perhaps step out of the way (maybe not for three weeks, but at least 10 minutes) to do something for ourselves.  

Let me know how it goes :)

Iela

P.S. Rama is taking her August slow down again this month! HOWEVER, we are still accepting registrations for our remaining spots in our TL1 Saturday cohort. If you've been holding out all summer and are ready to make the commitment move, visit the link here.