My dear friends,
I hope this message finds you well, even in the midst of such an unusual and challenging period. These days, life feels slower, quieter, and sometimes heavier than we anticipated. Yet in this unexpected pause, I have found God speaking to my heart in ways I had not noticed before. I wanted to share some of these reflections with you, hoping it might inspire you to see God’s hand in your own life—and perhaps even begin sharing your story too.
A Time-Off from the Everyday
During this season, I feel as if God has given me a pause—a time-off from my usual routines, responsibilities, and the relentless busyness that often fills life. I am learning to see it not as a disruption, but as a gift. A gift to step back, to gain perspective, and to refresh the foundation of my faith.
It is an invitation to let God rebuild the way I think, the way I act, and the way I live. For so long, I have gone through life doing things naturally—singing worship songs, listening to sermons, praying—but rarely stopping to reflect on whether I was fully seeking God’s heart in the process. These practices are good, but I realized I often did them out of habit rather than intentional faith.
In this quiet season, I began to wonder: Am I letting God guide my steps, or am I simply moving out of routine?
Learning to Listen in Silence
I am a person who talks to God constantly—sharing my worries, my plans, my frustrations, and my dreams. But have I truly given Him the same space to speak to me? How often do we pray only to fill the silence, instead of being still and listening for God’s gentle voice?
In this season of pause, I have started practicing being still—turning off the music, putting my phone aside, and sitting quietly in His presence. Not saying anything, just opening my heart and keeping my ears, my mind, and my spirit ready to listen.
Psalm 46:10 encourages us:
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
It’s not always comfortable to sit in silence. We are so accustomed to noise—background music, screens, constant movement—that stillness feels foreign. But in that stillness, I began to hear whispers of God’s heart: reminders of His love, guidance for my life, and gentle nudges to trust Him more fully.
Reflecting on Busyness and Excuses
Before this season, I often told myself, “I don’t have time.” I would postpone meaningful actions—calling a friend, reading Scripture, or even taking care of myself—because life was too busy. How many opportunities did I let slip away simply because my mind and schedule were full?
During this forced pause, I realized how much time I had spent just surviving my daily routine rather than living intentionally. I remembered people I had neglected to reach out to, conversations I had postponed, and small acts of love I had overlooked.
Now, without the usual excuses, I am able to take small but meaningful steps—picking up the phone, sending a note, or simply reaching out to say, “I am thinking of you.” Even these small actions have brought so much joy, both to me and to others.
Rediscovering Relationships and Connection
One of the most beautiful lessons in this season has been the rediscovery of relationships. I have realized how much I take for granted the people God has placed in my life. Friends, family, colleagues—all of them are gifts, and reaching out to them, even in small ways, is a way to honor God’s love.
I have picked up the phone to call friends I hadn’t spoken to in months. Sometimes it was just a short chat, but it reminded me that even in silence and stillness, we can reflect God’s love through simple acts. And in every conversation, I felt God’s presence—reminding me that connection is sacred, and relationships are meant to be nurtured.
Learning Gratitude in Every Moment
This season has also taught me to practice gratitude in new ways. With fewer distractions, I can now truly see the blessings that God has provided, which I might have overlooked in the past. The sun streaming through a window, a warm meal, a phone call from a friend—these small moments are reminders of God’s generosity and care.
Even when life feels uncertain, there is always something to be thankful for. And gratitude transforms our perspective, making challenges more bearable and joys more abundant.
A Time to Rebuild Faith
Perhaps the most significant gift of this season is the opportunity to rebuild and strengthen our faith. Life often moves so quickly that we rely on habit rather than intentional trust in God. We sing songs, read Scripture, and pray, but sometimes our faith lacks depth because we never truly pause to let God speak, teach, and reshape us.
During this time, I have been reflecting on what it truly means to live a faith-centered life—not just performing acts of religion, but allowing God’s Spirit to guide every thought, word, and action.
Isaiah 40:31 reminds us:
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
This pause has renewed my strength. It has reminded me that trusting God isn’t a one-time decision—it is a daily, moment-by-moment surrender, a continual listening, and a willingness to follow His leading.
Hope and Joy in the Midst of Uncertainty
Even in this season of uncertainty, I have experienced hope and joy. Not the fleeting happiness that depends on circumstances, but a deep, abiding joy rooted in God’s faithfulness. The challenges, the stillness, and the reflection have revealed God’s presence in ways I had overlooked when life was moving too fast.
Romans 15:13 encourages us:
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Hope is real because God is real. Joy is real because God is faithful. And love is real because God is present. Even in isolation or quiet moments, we can experience the richness of His presence.
A Personal Word to My Friends
To all my dear friends reading this: I think of you often, and I want to remind you how much you mean to me. Even if we are apart physically, God connects our hearts. Even in moments of uncertainty, His love binds us together.
I pray that you, too, will take this season to pause with purpose—reflect on your life, listen to God’s voice, and reach out to the people who matter. Let us all allow God to rebuild, refresh, and guide us through this time.
Closing Reflections
This season has reminded me that slowing down is not wasted time. It is a divine opportunity—a chance to grow closer to God, deepen our faith, and nurture the relationships He has entrusted to us.
Life may feel disrupted, routines may be broken, and the future may seem uncertain. But God’s love is unchanging, His guidance is steady, and His presence is constant.
Psalm 23:1-3 assures us:
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.”
Even in uncertainty, He restores us. Even in quiet, He speaks to us. Even in pause, He equips us to live fully, love deeply, and reflect His light.
A Final Word of Gratitude
I am so grateful for this season, for the lessons it has taught me, and for the friendships that have enriched my life. I pray that you, too, will find moments of reflection, stillness, and connection with God and with those you love.
May this time be a pause with purpose—for restoration, growth, and renewed faith. And may we emerge from this season not just having endured it, but having been transformed by it.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10