The word “pause” in the dictionary is defined as “a temporary stop or rest, especially in speech or action.”  

As you may or may not have noticed, I took a “pause” in writing my Blog last week. Mine was a spiritual pause. I have been writing my blog for over 9 years now. During my time with God, I had asked him over 10 years ago, “How do you want me to best use my gifts?”  I clearly heard Him say, “to write and speak.”  At the time I was an administrator of a Christian elementary school, K-6th. There was no time in my schedule to write and speak. I asked God, “Did I hear you correctly?” And he said, “Yes. Write a blog.” At that time, blogs were just coming on the scene. The personalities of the blog writers at that time did not seem to fit mine at all. I went back to God again and asked, “Are you sure this is what you want me to do? I don’t even like social media.” And said clearly back to me, leaving no room for further discussion, “If there is a way to communicate my truth, then it should be used.”  

I committed then, knowing clearly beyond a doubt that God had clearly called me to use the gifts and talents he had gifted me with, to write a Blog. I never felt Him tell me to write it every week, but I felt convicted to do so. With the help of my supportive and brilliant family, I came up with two pieces for my Blog. Number one: I would write it every Tuesday morning, so it would be fresh when people are scrolling through social media. And number two, that I would have a catch in quotes! I believe that my primary gift from God is speaking His Truth in love! I decided on “Tuesday Truth Bomb” (again, total credit go to my brilliant four children, who were in the blogger age group). 

I fought hard to keep my commitment every Tuesday morning. Reminded many times by my supportive family that God had not told me specifically to do that. But I felt convicted to do that. There are many times that my Blog was not posted on Tuesday morning, but I always made sure it was posted by Tuesday at midnight. There were many times throughout these 9+ years of writing that I questioned the influence, or even the necessity of continuing to write it. But every time I felt discouraged by doubt, I knew to take it to God, and ask Him. His voice is the only one I need to listen to and follow. He continued to affirm me that He wanted me to keep writing, so I have!

But this year, through my asking and praying to Him about what to write, He has taught me at times to “take a pause.” I took a long one in the beginning of the year when he gave me the word we are about to complete today: T.H.R.I.V.E. 

As I prepared last week to write my Blog for Tuesday, I felt his Spirit profoundly telling me to PAUSE. Now believe me, pausing is not something that comes to this gal naturally! I am driven, and I tend to run full steam ahead. My life is very full right now with many wonderful things! The majority of them are wonderful answers to prayer, but it is truly a crazy busy time in my life, demanding physically, mentally, and emotionally 24/7. 

My bent is to run hard at full speed, completing and checking off everything on my to do list. If I slow down my pace, I’m not going to get it done. Pausing feels counterproductive right now. But isn’t it just like our God to get your attention using this method. I had paused once before in completing this acronym, and I was excited to come to the finish line and complete it. As I started praying over all the “E” words, and asking God which one He was pointing me to–to thrive in 2025–I started to feel Him putting on the brakes. I had several words that would have worked, but I didn’t feel God’s words of affirmation over any of them. I continued praying, and on Sunday morning, it came to me. “Lisa, take a pause.” Just slow down and rest in knowing I’ve got this. That morning begun my least favorite day of the year (Springing forward), my body clock does not spring backward or forward. My body clock stays regimented on the time it is accustomed to. Teaching full time, I get up early every day. Having to get up an hour earlier messes up my body clock. On top of that, Wednesday had been Ash Wednesday. After much prayer and asking God what He wanted to fast from, and what He wanted me to fast for, I had begun a very strict fast. My body was literally screaming, “Enough!” Yet I had to keep pushing forward. The “fasting flu” had taken over. That morning, sitting in church, feeling all of the full effects, a pause seemed perfect. As I took the week to reflect, I realized what has a hold on me in my life: food. I get pleasure from food. I don’t eat to survive. I eat because it makes me feel good. Oh, I am picky about what I eat. I don’t just eat to eat. I do not gorge. And I do not eat mindlessly. I am actually overall a generally healthy eater. I do not eat fried foods, or rich cream sauces, or crust, or very little processed or fast food. But for me, my attachment to food is much more dangerous. It is emotional, and celebratory. It is for pleasure. Most people, when going through sadness or hard times, will lose weight. Not this gal! I will pack on the pounds as I find pleasure in nothing else at the time, but food. And in good times?  For a personality like mine?  Everything is a  celebration!  And with all of the things I do not eat, I love to eat baked goods. AKA: the simple sugars, which turn into fat. 

So when you have an emotional issue with food like mine, there is no other way to manage it other than giving it to God.  So that is what I did for the 40 days of our Lenten fast. So the word that God was leading me to pause and wait for was…ENABLE. In order to thrive in 2025, I must enable God to be my source of pleasure. And then, just like David, a passionate, emotional character like me, I must cling to these truths: 

“Taste and see that the Lord is good.” 

Psalm 34. 

Not a physical tasting, but a spiritual tasting. He is my true pleasure, not food. And, David continues to say, “Those that seek the Lord lack no good thing.”  

This doesn’t mean that I will have everything that tastes good: cupcakes, cake, cookies, danish, pastries, scones, croissants…you name it, I love it!  But that, I will have every good thing from God, and those good things from Him will be my pleasure.

So I am still committed to write my Blog faithfully and to speak his truth in love. But I am also committed to asking Him, and listening to Him, if and when He calls me to take a pause. What pause may He be asking you to take?  What issue in your life may He be asking you to put on hold, so you can focus on Him?  Sometimes even good things like speaking His truth in love may need to “take a pause” to put first things first. Focusing on God and seeing that He is good!

TRUTH BOMB

Pausing to wait on God always yields God’s wisdom!

Speak Truth Love