Earlier today I wrote that I plan to rest—even while being active. How can I make that goal specific? I know (because the Bible tells me so) that rest is attainable. Is rest measurable?
S.A.M.: Specific, Attainable. Measurable.
Rest means to me that I am physically alert and active, mentally at peace, and spiritually trusting God.
I know that my perception of being rested changes by the moment, but the state of being rested is long-term. With the help of God, I can enter a state of rest.
How to measure rest? (1) One physical way is to keep track of sleep and eating. When I’m stressed, both get ragged. I overeat and under-sleep. I’ll keep records of those living essentials. (2) A way to measure mental rest is to keep track of my moods. (3) But spiritual rest? How can I measure that? Here is how I will do that: I can monitor my anxiety level. When I trust God, I get less anxious. Although occasional anxiety may hit me, I don’t plan ti live in it.
My theme for the end of 2023 going into 2024 is Rest.
Rest means choosing to take care of myself while loving others. So, I have challenged myself to moderate eating, increase exercise by inches rather than miles, and schedule days off. I love my work of writing, and I choose to reward myself for getting writing done with things that help me rest. I may be active when I’m resting—for instance, riding my bike in the park and then going out for ice cream. I may sit and read. I may hang out with friends and family.
Today I worshipped at a new-to-me church. I got there early, and thought I’d just find a corner to burrow into and wait for the service to begin.
But something inside suggested that I approach people, introduce myself, and just chat if they were open. And they were open!
One interpersonal barrier I encountered was to think of my responses to people while they were talking instead of listening and THEN responding. Today I made an effort to listen so I could really get to know the folks. I wasn’t successful at overcoming my habit with every conversation, but I made an effort and met some lovely new friends!
Point of story: I, the introvert, stepped out in faith and met people. And the new relationships were a very pleasant takeaway.
It’s the close of Thanksgiving Day, and I’m full, sleepy, and happy after a good time with family and friends. I’m in no shape to think through prewriting Book 4, From Silence to Singing.
But I have just enough energy left tonight to set a goal for setting a goal.
On Saturday, November 25, I’ll set THE goal for completing the prewriting phase of Book 4.
The ebook format of The Horned Edge, book 3 in the Soul’s Warfare series, is HERE! Print and hardback copies will soon be available, too!
As you may have experienced, after a big adventure not everything works out hunky-dory with no more pain!
This book begins after everyone is apparently “safe at home.” It includes the characters from the first two books: brilliant physicist Lewis Brahmindura, his younger brother Patrick (don’t call him “Pat!”), his little sister Gracie (don’t call her “Greasy!”) Two new characters include Deirdre, Lewis’s true love from Lanthra, and Peggy, the temptress from the Horned Edge.
I went with Lewis, Patrick, and Gracie back home after their adventures on Lanthra because I want to show a whole family in recovery from trauma—not just one person. My own family-of-origin went through some tough times, as many of yours did also.
But, I can declare that, despite various emotions that swell up from the past, I’ve learned more positive thoughts, and more healthy behaviors. It is my hope that through this novel you will (1) enjoy yourself with new adventures, (2) see how recovery works through the pain, and (3) watch how a former atheist (e.g., Lewis) struggles with God.
I enjoyed writing the book, living adventures while sitting comfortably in my chair at my computer. I also asked myself, “If this happened to me, how might it turn out for good?” From the beginning, I chose a Recovery theme. Now … a note about a person’s relationship with God after atheism ends: It’s not always a quick and easy acceptance and joy. Like Lewis might have felt, I initially thought that the word “Christian” sounds harsh. (I reconciled myself to it by associating it with “crystal,” which had more pleasant overtones.) Also like Lewis experienced, I had a lot, lot, lot of questions to overcome before I could trust that God is, and He is Good. I brought up just a few of them in one of my chapters.
You might ask: If the book is about Lewis, then why did the story start with Patrick? This is why: He’s the most vulnerable one. Patrick reminds me of me when I was that age. That smart, talented, socially awkward boy has an awful lot going on, and he doesn’t have the maturity to process it very well. He’s worried about being overweight, and he’s afraid of the bully at school.
Anybody out there experience bullying at school? (Or work? Or … home?). It takes a lot of soul-work to learn to either ignore them or stand up to them. Patrick hasn’t found out what his resources are.
As for Gracie—can a 10-year-old really become addicted to alcohol and drugs? Oh, yes. But WHY do little people start using? For many—or most, the substance dulls pain. So, how does anyone deal with that? First by getting the problem out in the open. Fortunately, Gracie had not gone far into her addiction before she entered recovery with a supportive family. And then … at a crucial moment … she was prepared to comfort others.
It is my hope that you will be uplifted by this story. Most of all, HAVE FUN!
Rosemary Althoff, Author 