This past week, David and I had the joy of traveling to Branson for a TTD365 retreat. The retreat was amazing– 365 retreats always are! It was a time of sweet fellowship, encouragement, and fun — the kind of gathering that reminds us why we do what we do. But one of my favorite parts of the week actually wasn’t during the retreat at all. It was the journey getting there.
We decided to take the scenic route — winding our way through the hills, stopping often, and even meandering along the Blue Ridge Parkway for a while. The colors of fall were breathtaking. The sun filtering through the trees painted everything in a warm golden glow, and there were moments when the beauty literally took our breath away.
At one overlook, I remember thinking, This is what I miss when I’m in a hurry.
If we had stuck to the main highways and rushed to our destination, we would have made it there faster. But we would have missed so much — the stillness of the mountains, the laughter that comes in unhurried conversations, and the awe that fills your heart when you remember that the same God who spoke the mountains into existence is the One who holds your life together, too.
That thought has lingered with me ever since.
The Beauty in the Pause
We live in a world that moves so fast. Even in ministry and family life — good, God-honoring things — we often fill every moment with activity. There’s always something next: a project, a meal, a chore, a lesson, a commitment. But if we’re not careful, we can find ourselves speeding right past the beauty that God has woven into our everyday lives.
Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” It’s one of those verses that we know so well, but often fail to live out. Stillness doesn’t come naturally to us. But it’s in that stillness that we remember Who He is — and who we are in Him.
When we pause, we notice the way the morning light spills through the kitchen window. We hear the laughter of our children and remember how fleeting these moments are. We taste the sweetness of life again, because we’re not rushing past it.
Preparing Our Hearts for Thanksgiving
We’re coming into a season that’s all about gratitude, but I think true thanksgiving starts long before the table is set. It begins in the quiet — in those moments when we slow down enough to see the blessings we’ve been walking right past.
This week, I want to challenge you (and myself!) to take a few pauses:
- Pause to notice God’s creation. Step outside and breathe deeply. Watch the leaves fall. Listen to the birds. Let your heart worship the Creator through the beauty of His handiwork.
- Pause to give thanks. Before you start your day or as you tuck your kiddos into bed at night, name three things you’re grateful for. Speak them out loud. Gratitude transforms our perspective.
- Pause to rest. Real rest isn’t just a nap — it’s a heart posture of trust. It’s saying, “Lord, You are in control, and I can rest because You’re good.”
- Pause to connect. Share an unhurried conversation with your spouse, your children, or a friend. Ask questions that go deeper than “How was your day?” and really listen.
As we move toward Thanksgiving, let’s not wait until the holiday to start living thankful lives. Let’s begin now, with open eyes and open hearts, ready to marvel at the goodness of the God who gives us every breath.
The Gift of the Scenic Route
That drive through the mountains reminded me that the “scenic route” isn’t always the fastest — but it’s often the most meaningful. The same is true in our walk with the Lord. Sometimes He leads us down winding paths that don’t make sense in the moment, but those are the very places where we see His beauty most clearly.
Maybe your path right now feels slow, or uncertain, or even a little bit foggy. My friend, take heart — God’s not in a hurry. He’s working in ways you can’t yet see, and His timing is always perfect. Don’t rush past what He’s doing. Let Him teach you to pause, to notice, and to give thanks along the way.
A Closing Thought
One of the sweetest parts of that drive was simply being together — no agenda, no hurry, just the joy of each other’s company and the presence of God all around us.
That’s what I pray for you this week — that in the midst of your routines, your homeschooling, your ministry, your daily life, you’ll take the scenic route with the Lord. That you’ll slow down long enough to see His fingerprints in the details and let your heart be filled with wonder again.
Because when we pause, we don’t just rest our bodies — we refresh our souls.
Wishing you a week full of beauty, gratitude, and holy pauses.
