Relax
by Cristen Vohwinkel / Student Ministries Assistant
A few weeks ago, I found myself on a miniature road trip with our youth pastor, Mat, and his wife, Amy, to visit the retreat center where we would be taking our students. During the trip, Amy asked me a question that I was unsure of how to answer. She asked me how I relaxed. I found myself letting out a big laugh and then a very long “ummmm…” before I said that I liked to be in nature. Which is true. But I have been thinking of Amy ever since in times of stress and wondering why I’m not allowing myself time to unwind.
Everyone in my life has been commenting that I look stressed and asking how they can help me. I was very close to the point of being overwhelmed when God’s timing stepped perfectly into my life and forced me to take a break. During the month of October, I’m spending three of my weekends away from home and in nature. Of course, when I took this time off for various family members’ weddings and birthdays, I had no idea that God was providing me with a time of rest that He (of course) knew eight months ago I would need now. And even though life is still stressful and generally always feels that way for me, I have been continually reminded this month of God’s provision for my life and how He always makes a way to meet my needs ahead of time. As such, John 13:7, one of my favorite Bible verses, has been sticking with me. It reads, “Jesus replied, ‘You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will.’” I am very grateful for that.
A few weeks ago, I found myself on a miniature road trip with our youth pastor, Mat, and his wife, Amy, to visit the retreat center where we would be taking our students. During the trip, Amy asked me a question that I was unsure of how to answer. She asked me how I relaxed. I found myself letting out a big laugh and then a very long “ummmm…” before I said that I liked to be in nature. Which is true. But I have been thinking of Amy ever since in times of stress and wondering why I’m not allowing myself time to unwind.
Everyone in my life has been commenting that I look stressed and asking how they can help me. I was very close to the point of being overwhelmed when God’s timing stepped perfectly into my life and forced me to take a break. During the month of October, I’m spending three of my weekends away from home and in nature. Of course, when I took this time off for various family members’ weddings and birthdays, I had no idea that God was providing me with a time of rest that He (of course) knew eight months ago I would need now. And even though life is still stressful and generally always feels that way for me, I have been continually reminded this month of God’s provision for my life and how He always makes a way to meet my needs ahead of time. As such, John 13:7, one of my favorite Bible verses, has been sticking with me. It reads, “Jesus replied, ‘You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will.’” I am very grateful for that.