Don’t Forget to Breathe

Just a Sketch, 2024

Bic pen

4" x 6"

Not every drawing needs to be a masterpiece. Every blogpost does not need to be a life-changing missive. I find the former easier to accept than the latter… but regardless, both statements are true. There is nothing wrong with simple. I try to keep this in mind  with my writing, although the last time I reminded myself of this fact I wrote seven pages to you all, lol. The fact remains - there is nothing wrong with simple. Simple can be profound. Simple can be beautiful.

Something wonderful happens when we take a time-out to unburden ourselves from the rigors of our expectations and our checklists; when we take a moment to just stop and breathe. Over the past couple weeks, I have tried to be more purposeful about making time for this. And, for two weeks in a row now, I have succeeded! I have only managed a rate of one afternoon a week so far but I’m still declaring it a win! 

My sister has been joining me on these outings and it has been such a joy. Truly, I can’t even describe to you how wonderful it has been to take even one afternoon a week to just be - to walk in the woods and breathe the air; to sit on a shore and listen to the sound of water and feel the rays of the sun recharge my skin; and to sketch for no other reason than the pure joy of moving my hand. 

I say this, dear friend, not to brag or lord it over you (I know we are all very busy with lives, and obligations, and very important things to do) but, rather, it is my desire to encourage you. Sitting and doing “nothing” might feel like… well, doing nothing. However, you are accomplishing something very important - you are recharging your soul! 

You might be thinking, “Angela, that sounds kind of hokey” or maybe you are still wrestling with my previous statement (and your schedule) thinking to yourself, “girl, you have no clue how crazy busy I am!” Would it make it easier if I told you that “Simplicity” and “Solitude” are actually important Christian Spiritual Disciplines? Not only that, but how about if I told you that they are on par in importance with Prayer and the Study of Scripture? No joke, the act of sitting in the quiet and delighting in the simple things is a critical practice which refills and refuels your being, enabling you to do all of those important things that God has called you to do. They are so integral to Christianity that Christ Himself practiced them. The Bible even tells us that Jesus “often withdrew to deserted (or wilderness) places…” Luke 5:16 (CSB, emphasis mine). 

So, when was the last time you did the same? When was the last time you went for a walk without your pedometer and your exercise goals in mind? When was the last time you skipped rocks at a lake, completely unaware of the time? When was the last time you picked up a pencil just for the sheer joy of creation? If your answer was: “gosh, it’s been a while” may I encourage you - why not try it today? Today is a great day to take a break and enjoy the simple things. 

God bless you all… and don’t forget to breathe :) -Angela

Butterfly resting on Chelle's shoe... because butterflies need rest too.