When You Need Rest, Don’t Put It Off.

When you need rest, don’t put it off.

It’s so easy to do.

We keep going. We keep pushing. We move from one thing on the list to the next without even realizing how tired we’ve become.

Sometimes we don’t recognize that we need to stop for a while — to regroup, recharge, and become grounded again.

Maybe it’s happened to you.

It definitely happened to me.

I had no idea what it would be like to write a book and move from being a freelance writer, teacher, and speaker to an author. Quite a jump — and learning curve.

From the moment I signed the contract in August 2025, I’ve been on a fast moving train.

I’d heard it was hard to write a book, but all I was thinking about was the “writing” part.

Turns out that was only the beginning.

It reminded me of those gardening projects when I walk outside and think I’m just going to change a few things in this area of my yard.

But we know what happens next.

One small project turns into something much larger than we planned.

And that’s exactly what happened with my book.

Signing the contract was only the beginning. I wanted “The Potting Bench,” my gardening devotional, to release in time for spring, which meant I needed to complete the manuscript by Dec. 1, 2025 — a four month deadline.

Then came manuscript edits. Next I had to select 62 photos and edit them by January. After that came more edits, cover selection, final details, and eventually — the release!

Then I thought maybe I would rest.

I didn’t.

Instead, I moved straight into launching a book, planning a live launch party, participating in book signings, marketing, starting a business, more marketing, traveling to Missouri and receiving not one, but two awards for “The Potting Bench,” — and then coming home to, you guessed it, more maketing.

I’m certainly not complaining. I feel incredibly blessed by everything that has happened.

However, I could tell I was running out of steam.

There was still so much to do. So many things remained on my list. So many ideas were swirling around in my head.

And did I mention the marketing?

Then the Lord got my attention.

I’ve always tried to follow the Lord’s leading, and this past week during my daily Bible reading I came to Mark 6.

In verse 7, Jesus “called the twelve and began to send them out two by two.”

Later in the chapter, after they returned from all Jesus had sent them to do I read these words.

“The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught, And He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” — Mark 6:30-31

There is was.

The nudge.

The direction I needed.

It was as if I was hearing, “Beth, come away by yourself to a quiet place and rest awhile.”

Do I still have things to do?

Absolutely.

Will I continue to come up with ideas?

Of course.

Am I going to rest and listen?

I’m certainly going to try.

So I’ve decided that the month of September will be a time to rest. I also have a week’s vacation coming up in the middle of October where I will head to one of my happy places — Hilton Head Island, SC.

And yes, there will be plenty of beach walks and even more photographs.

But I’ll be back.

Until then I’m giving myself permission for some down time — to spend reading God’s Word, to become grounded again, and enjoy time with my family and friends.

I’m also giving myself permission to keep thinking, dreaming, and planning.

There’s just one rule.

For now, the ideas stay on paper.

The list can contiune. The ideas can keep coming. But I don’t have to act on every one of them right now.

I can wait until October before jumping back on that fast moving train.

As I continued to read Mark 6, I came to one Jesus’ most familiar miracles — the feeding of the five thousand (Mark 6:33-44).

Something stood out to me.

Jesus involved His disciples in the miracle.

They helped distribute food and collect even more after everyone was fed. They were a part of something extraordinary — something they had never seen before.

But notice what Jesus had them do before that:

Rest awhile.

Jesus knew what was coming.

He knew it would involve them in something bigger than they could imagine.

And He knew they needed rest first.

Jesus knows when we need our rest too.

Our responsibility is to listen and obey because He — and only He — knows what lies ahead.

So September will be my time to rest.

But before I look for that garden bench or comfy chair I want to thank all of you who have encouraged me, bought my book — for yourself or as a gift — told others about my book, shared comments with me, and written reviews on Amazon that help other readers discover “The Potting Bench.”

It has been — and continues to be — a wonderful journey and I’m grateful to have you along.

As I rest this month, my prayer for you is that you will seek the Lord for guidance in your daily walk.

He knows us better than we know ourselves.

He knows what lies ahead of us.

And He knows exactly how to prepare us for it.

Maybe He isn’t calling you to rest right now. Maybe He’s calling you to begin something, finish something, wait, move forward, or simply trust Him in the place where He has you.

Whatever it is, may we learn to listen.

Because He’s always working in our lives.

And may you experience His presence and His power in each day.

See you in October!

Beth

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

To thank you for your encouragement and support for me on this journey, I would like to again pass along my “FRIENDS AND FAMILY DISCOUNT” for my book. Just click the link below to order your copy of “The Potting Bench.” Order a copy to enjoy as you take a break from your summer garden and gear up for the fall planting season. Or order and give one as a gift. You may order as many as you would like at:

https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=2ILxJkB4MZL1B7R7GdkEGMbPmy3HWWY25Musdf7Szog