Do you ever feel like you’re constantly racing through life—juggling work, family, ministry, and endless to-do lists—while your soul is quietly begging for rest? In today’s episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, I chat with author and Bible teacher Samantha Decker about her new book, Unhurried: An Invitation to Slow Down, Create Margin, and Surrender Control to God, and the journey God took her on as she learned how to live an unhurried life.

As a Bible teacher, writer, and mom of four who recently released her first book, Samantha has a deep understanding of why we need to intentionally practice slowing down. But Samantha says she didn’t set out to write a book. “It was really a step of obedience,” she shared. “The Lord used a verse in Haggai to get my attention—‘Consider your ways.’ I was doing all these good things—working, parenting, serving in church—but I wasn’t prioritizing what God was asking me to do.”

That moment sparked a shift. God invited Samantha to slow down—not just in her schedule, but in her soul. And that’s the heart of Unhurried—learning to pursue God’s purposes over our own plans.

Samantha is candid about the ongoing nature of this journey. “I’m still the mom rushing to get my kids in the car,” she admitted with a laugh. But what’s changed is her posture. Instead of white-knuckling control over her days, she’s learning to ask God, “What do You have for me today?”

She talked about how slowing down often begins with small, faithful steps—like answering a phone call when you’d rather keep moving or carving out time for quiet prayer. “It’s like when the priests dipped their toes in the Jordan before the waters parted,” she said. “That first step matters.”

Samantha also offers very practical advice in her book, especially for people in different life seasons. Whether you work full time, stay at home, or fall somewhere in between, she shares thoughtful insights into how each of us can create margin.

“If you stay at home, maybe God is inviting you to ask what to say yes to and what to gently decline,” she said. “If you work full time, maybe there’s a routine—like stopping at the same coffee shop—that can become a space for reflection or relationship.”

Having too much unstructured time can lead to its own kind of hurry. Even in my season of life, I can still feel pressured to fill the day with work or activity. Samantha reminded me—and all of us—that even Jesus modeled both work and rest. “He withdrew to be with the Father,” she said. “That rhythm of working and resting with God at the center—that’s what we’re aiming for.”

I asked Samantha whether she thought hurriedness was only a problem for high-achievers. Her response was so insightful. “I think we all struggle,” she said. “Our culture rewards busyness and achievement. And anytime we’re trying to control our days without asking God what He wants for us, we’re stepping into that hurried mindset—whether we’re type A or type B.”

That resonated with me deeply. As a type B person, I know how procrastination can create its own brand of franticness. Samantha shared how she and her sister—who are opposites in personality—often remind each other of what really matters. “She tells me to slow down. I remind her not to wait too long. We help balance each other.”

So how do we begin to live a slower, more intentional life? Samantha’s advice was beautifully simple: “Right when you wake up, ask God, ‘What do You have for me today?’”

She encouraged us to start the day with prayer, Scripture, or even a moment of silence. “It’s a posture of surrender,” she explained. “Instead of leading with your to-do list, you begin under God’s Lordship. That question alone can reorient your entire day.”

I’ve practiced this myself during work struggles—pausing to pray and asking God for direction. More often than not, He brings clarity. It’s amazing what a simple question can do.

I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation with Samantha. You can find Unhurried wherever books are sold, and the audiobook just released as well!

You can also connect with Samantha on Instagram @samanthadeckerwrites or at her website, samanthadeckerwrites.com.

If you’ve been feeling rushed, overwhelmed, or unsure how to slow down, I hope this episode is an encouragement. The invitation to live unhurried isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing what matters, with God leading the way.

Listen to the full episode on the Christian Habits Podcast!

Samantha Decker is a wife, mom, writer, Bible teacher, and above all, a follower of Jesus. She is passionate about encouraging believers to deepen their walk with Jesus through discipleship relationships and an unrelenting love for the Word of God. She and her husband, Dustin, live in Oklahoma and enjoy serving in their local church, trying new restaurants (especially if it’s Tex-Mex), and adventuring with their three rambunctious boys and baby girl. You can connect with her at samanthadeckerwrites.com.

The post Samantha Decker: How to Live an Unhurried Life appeared first on Barb Raveling.

Have you ever been in a season of waiting that feels as though it will never end? Whether you want to begin a family, meet a life partner, find your perfect career, or anything else, waiting can be excruciating—or fertile ground for personal and spiritual growth. In this episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, author and podcaster Rebecca George shares insights from her new book, You’re Not Too Late: Trusting God’s Timing in a Hurry-Up World. Learn to reframe the struggles of waiting and how to find true happiness and joy in a relationship with Christ.

Rebecca George is the founder of Radical Radiance®, a podcast community where listeners are equipped to blend what they love with the Jesus who makes them shine. She is a podcaster, speaker, and author whose greatest joy in life is discipling others to pursue their passions in a way that builds the Kingdom. In her free time you can find her running outside, writing, or trying a new recipe with 90s country playing in the background. You can connect with her on IG at @rebeccageorgeauthor or at radicalradiance.live!

The post Rebecca George: Trusting God’s Timing appeared first on Barb Raveling.

Becoming an empty nester can be a challenging time—full of bittersweet goodbyes, new routines, and a lot of questions about what’s next. My guest today on The Christian Habits Podcast, Jill Savage, knows this season well and brings wisdom and encouragement for navigating it with faith and purpose. In this episode, she shares practical insights from her book, Empty Nest, Full Life, on how to let go, grab hold of what matters most, and build a fulfilling life in the empty nest season.

Jill Savage is an author and speaker who is passionate about encouraging families. She is the author or co-author of fourteen books including Professionalizing Motherhood, My Hearts At Home, Real Moms…Real Jesus, Living With Less So Your Family Has More, No More Perfect Moms, No More Perfect Marriages (with her husband Mark), and her most recent release Empty Nest Full Life.

Featured on Focus on the Family, Crosswalk.com, Family Life Today and Today’s Christian Woman magazine, Jill is the founder of Hearts at Home, an organization that encouraged moms from 1994-2017. Jill and her husband, Mark, have five children, three who are married, and eight grandchildren. They make their home in Normal, Illinois.

The post Jill Savage – How to Thrive as Empty Nesters appeared first on Barb Raveling.