The weather here in Colorado is amazing! We get on average 300 days of sun per year. Even after a few inches of snow, the sun usually peeks out a few hours later to melt it all away. Today was a beautiful “spring-like” day here with temps in the sixties, perfect blue sky, a few wispy clouds, and I didn’t get outside for more than fifteen or twenty minutes to enjoy it.

I had some administration stuff I was working on, looking at doing some freelance jobs, getting some other personal things taken care of, and I was kind of down on myself for not getting outside. I love to hike, to smell the fresh mountain air, to get out and try new things, but for one reason or another I didn’t go and do anything.

Most of my friends are married with kids now so it’s hard for me to justify prying them away from their families to hang out. Starting new friendships as a single person when you have three kids in your thirties is harder than it might seem. Like I said, I was feeling kind of down on myself.

When I was feeling a little mopey, I turned to prayer. I stopped to engage with the Father. I sat with him, journaling about where I am at, about what’s now, and what’s next. I didn’t feel like I got any amazing revelations, but instead I received his love and acceptance.

“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
– Psalm 46:10 (ESV)

He wanted me to rest. Not to worry or fret about what I was not doing today. Just be. Engage with him about my emotions and where I am at. Connect to him. That is much more refreshing and rejuvenating than going for a hike or going downtown or something else that might seem like a more exciting afternoon.

I started a new book by John Eldredge (one of my favorite authors of all-time) called “Get Your Life Back,” it came out last month. The first chapter talks about all the stressful things we face every moment of the day and encourages readers to take a “One Minute Pause.” To set a reminder in your phone to intentionally spend one minute resting.

It’s not a time to solve all of life’s problems in one minute. It is turning off all the demands raging around you. It is letting go. Surrendering the concerns and cares of this life to the Lord.

“Jesus, I give everything and everyone to you.”

Releasing it all to Him over and over, until you’ve really let go in your heart, those cares to Him. Opening up soul space, breathing room to let the Lord come into all of those areas.

Flash forward to the moment when I was feeling mopey. I turned on some new worship music I am listening to, and engaged in worship and meditated on the words of praise. Then I took a minute of pause, releasing my cares and concerns. Not taking them into my own hands to solve, but letting them go. An act of trust that God is in control, not me. That He will care for all of my needs, better than even I can care for them.

When I take care of things on my own, the results are usually mixed. Some of the results are good, others are a complete flop. But, I have found that when I release them up to God, and I trust Him to provide. When I release them into His hands, His ways are much better than my ways. His solutions are much more effective.

Releasing it all to God, I can now enjoy the rest and relaxation of the rest of the weekend. I can enjoy my Sabbath day tomorrow. I can get outside on the trail in the sun with His love and His provision secure. It is such a great feeling!

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