Gentle Rhythms
Entering a new season, September's theme, and preaching to myself
Life Update
Hello friends!
If you haven’t heard from me via Substack in a while (other than this week’s meditation post), it’s because the summer got away from me and I piled onto my plate way more than I could actually handle. Welp.
Though so many beautiful gatherings and experiences were had, I can’t help but get a bit frustrated with myself for ignoring my own boundaries and running the risk of burning out yet again.
But by God’s grace, burnout was not my fate.
Despite all of that, we’re here, and we’re actually kind of thriving.
It’s near the end of August and thus begins a new season for my wife and I; we moved into our new condo, Hannah started CRNA school this week, and I am able to now devote 100% of my “work attention” to my church plant, Kindred Church.
What excites me the most about this new season we are entering into, is the ability and margin Hannah and I now have with creating a new rhythm for our individual lives and our marriage. It’s been a breath of fresh air for me personally, since we haven’t had a consistent rhythm over a year and a half, while Hannah was travel nursing in 2023 and with us being at my mother in-law’s from December 2023 through May 2024 and then being at my parent’s home from May 2024 through August 2024.
Wild.
And with that, I’m excited to share I will be writing consistently and putting out work that I’ve been excited to share with this wonderful Substack community. Part of that is announcing September’s theme.
My hope is that with each month, I’ll be able to stick to a theme to write about regarding [Christian] spiritual formation and the person we are becoming, as we strive to become more like Jesus Christ.
September’s Theme: Gentle Rhythms
Maybe I’m projecting, but a part of me is afraid of the Fall, despite it being the best season out of the four. Why? Because as things begin to ramp up with the summer dying down - the academic year starting back up, people deciding what communities to commit to, and everything in between - it can be easy to overcommit, feel like you have to now “work harder” after you had a “play hard” summer, and end up being harsh on yourself.
At least that’s what I’ve been feeling.
So maybe I am projecting. But with that, I tell myself to be gentle with my own heart, mind, soul and body. To ensure that with the start of the Fall season and the rush of getting things back up and running, to create a rhythm of life that will be gentle with your heart, mind, soul, and body.
This upcoming month of September, all of the posts I make will revolve around this theme of Gentle Rhythms, with hopes that it will remind you, dear reader and friend, that Jesus is often gentle with us, even when we are not gentle with ourselves.
Embracing My Limitations
Lastly with that invitation of gentle rhythms, I am taking that word for myself quite seriously.
These last few months, I was taking our church plant through the book of Ecclesiastes and quite a few times did the theme of limits and embracing those limits pop up.
Juxtaposed with the current cultural narrative to “go be limitless and do whatever you want,” the Biblical theme of embracing limits as a way of wisdom was loudly heard. And it was something I don’t think I necessarily listened to, though I was the one preaching it.
So as I look at the Fall season and feel the strong desire and inspiration to tackle mountaintops, I will need to remind myself to go at a steady pace, create a gentle rhythm (and stick with it), all the while embracing the limits which exist in my heart, mind, soul, and body.
Here’s to new rhythms friends! I hope this next month of writing can bring joy, encouragement, and clarity to your life, even if it’s just one step forward in that direction.
May we become more like Jesus, for the sake of others, each and every single day.
Cheers!
Glad things are finally starting to settle!
I've been thinking lately that I need to incorporate more seasonality into my life. It's all been a blur since '22, so I need to slow down and find a way to appreciate seasonal differences.
I needed this, thank you Young! I already have hopes for my month and this season but I know sometimes my achievement-oriented heart can also cultivate harshness toward myself. Time to go forward with both goals AND gentleness🫶🏼