Permission to Stop
I am ready for Fall Break. I imagine many of you are, too.
We have spent these first weeks of school teaching, learning, planning, and showing up for one another. That work matters. I love seeing what God is doing at BCS. I also know how easily good work can fill every available space until rest becomes something we promise ourselves we will get to later.
And somehow, later always has its own list.
In Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, Peter Scazzero describes Sabbath through four practices: stop, rest, delight, and contemplate God. The one that challenges me most is the first: stop. I can appreciate the idea of rest, but I still think about everything I could accomplish with some time away from school.
But there will always be something unfinished. I believe part of honoring God is learning to leave it unfinished for a while and trusting Him enough to rest.
God established a rhythm of work and rest from the beginning. Yet we often treat a full calendar as evidence that we are doing life well. I want us to be careful about what that teaches our children. At BCS, we want students to work hard and use their gifts faithfully. We also want them to know God loves them before they accomplish a single thing.
Fall Break gives us room to practice that ourselves. Enjoy a meal without watching the clock. Go outside. Take a nap. Put your phone down for a while, or give yourself a whole day away from the scrolling and notifications. Spend time with people you love and give them your full attention. Open your Bible and give yourself time to sit with what you read.
I know a school break does not clear every family’s responsibilities. Still, I hope each of us can find space to stop and resist the urge to fill it immediately.
I want us to return rested. More than that, I want us to remember that God’s care for this school and our families continues even when we put our work down. Whether you’re traveling or staying close to home, I’m praying for a safe and restful Fall Break for each of you. May you enjoy time with the people you love and find a few quiet moments to remember God’s goodness.
Dallas Tolson
Communications Coordinator / Student Life Leader