This is part 3 of an in-depth exploration of resting and embracing the unhurried life. In this episode, we are going to talk about communion with God - a form of spiritual rest we are in need of as we work with and walk with Him. We'll get to see the examples of Jesus and how he demonstrated this in the life he lived on earth. We'll be discussing the practice of beholding God in solitude and how that restores and strengthens our relationship with Him. Accepting the invitation from Psalm 46:10 to BE STILL and KNOW that He is God, in my opinion, might be the most fulfilling part of slowing down and finding rest for our souls.

Happy New Year! This episode is dropping as we welcome 2026 if you're listening in real time and while orienting ourselves to God's truth is always, ALWAYS worth our best thinking, we can't deny that it seems especially fitting as we prepare for a new year. This topic is also part of the series we've started on becoming UNHURRIED. It's my honor and pleasure to have you listening as we process through how orienting ourselves is part of that journey.

In real time, it's Christmas week 2025. And as our thoughts are naturally more drawn to the season where the reminders of love, joy and peace are all around us, it's been good for me to contemplate how the coming of Jesus came to rescue us from bondage of sin and bring us into a relationship with him where his peace rules our hearts, if we let it. Today we talk about the importance of the unhurried life and the process of developing it through the lens of Advent.

As I started writing out my thoughts about what the Holy Spirit is leading me to understand over these past few months about Jesus' UNHURRIED lifestyle, I felt impressed to first reaffirm the role of grace as we follow Christ. If you are a new listener, I'm going to introduce you to the hope and purpose of The Grace Narrative. If you've been listening to the show for a while, this will be a refresher but explained through the lens of spiritual formation. I listened to the trailer I recorded when I first started this back in 2019 and every bit of it is still true, but I'm going to flesh it out in a very specific way, so l encourage you to listen all the way through to the end and receive some fresh inspiration and a peek into some future topics!

The turning of a new year begs for reflection. As we reflect, it informs what we can expect as we look to the future. It's actually in the reflection that the learning happens. It's not enough to just go through stuff. We have to process it - whether it's good or bad or just normal. Looking at our experiences of the past year through the lens of God's grace is the best place to start as we set our expectations and cast our vision for the new year. Join me today as we do just that.

We've entered the last month of summer! I'm always amazed at how fast those weeks seem to fly by. As a wrap up to summer, I wanted to do one or two episodes inspired by some songs from my summer playlist. I'm really excited about this actually! One of the ways truth gets really embedded in me is when I make connections between God's Word, music, and how I see that theme playing out in my real life. Today I'm going to tell you about what has encouraged me in my present season, and I truly hope it encourages you as well!

It's been about a year since the first time I did a grace notes episode, so I'm really excited to share a new edition for this summer. In case you've forgotten or you're new around here, a grace notes episode is my version of answering the question, "What's saving your life right now?" It's just naming some blessings whether serious or silly that enrich my life, like grace notes embellish music. So I've just picked out a few simple things I'm enjoying in the present, that might give you ideas for a refreshing experience or even just remind you to pause and reflect with joy on your own grace notes right now.

Happy Independence Day! What a privilege to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave, aka the USA. As much of a blessing as that is, greater still is the one knowing that our freedom in Christ is secure. This episode seemed like the perfect opportunity to express gratitude for the reality of both of these freedoms in our lives.

Scripture references for today's episode are as follows:

John 8:36, Galatians 5:13, Psalm 68:6, Philippians 4:19, 2 Corinthians 9:8 and Psalm 95:1.