Permission To Pause

A Wake-Up Call for Every Woman

When was the last time you gave yourself permission to stop? Not slow down. Not catch your breath between tasks. I mean truly stop to rest, to breathe, to be.

If you're like me, maybe it's been longer than you care to admit.

As women, we are natural givers. Somehow, giving has become second nature to us, something we do without even thinking. We pour out our time, energy, and love to our families, our friends, our work, our businesses, and our ministries. But what happens when the vessel runs dry?

What happens when we keep giving, even though there’s nothing left inside?

I'll tell you: Your heart grows weary, your body feels heavy, and your soul, the very part of you that once burned bright, begins to dim.

That’s where I found myself caught in a cycle of endless giving, endless going, endless doing. There were no timeouts, no breathing room, and no real rest.

A Sacred Pause

This past weekend, I finally pressed pause. I joined a group of amazing women from our ministry department for a retreat at The Retreet and Spa in Scottsboro, Alabama.

We had no agenda, to-do lists, expectations, or need to "perform."Just mountains, open sky, and the quiet beauty of God’s creation.

Nothing needed to change in that moment except my willingness to be still.

The mountains didn’t strive to be majestic. The trees didn’t hustle to be beautiful. They just were.

I wasn’t missing peace, I needed time to step away and be reminded.

In that stillness, I breathed deeper, smiled more, and felt something I hadn’t made space for in far too long: proper rest.

What I Practiced During This Time Away

During those two days, I leaned into a few simple but powerful habits that helped me truly decompress and reconnect:

Meditate, center your mind on peace, on Scripture, or simply on your breathing.
Sit Still. Stillness is not wasted time. It’s a sacred space.
Breathe deeply. Inhale peace. Exhale pressure.
Relax Your Body. Unclench your jaw. Loosen your shoulders. Let yourself soften.
Smile, even when no one is watching. Especially then.
Take Time to pause, not after you finish everything. Now.
Enjoy the Beauty Around You. God’s creation is a balm to a weary soul.
Remember: Calmness is a Feeling, and it's a feeling you are allowed and invited to experience.