The Rocks To Release

Hello, Dear One!

I am back from a 9-day spiritual pilgrimage to the Isle of Iona, located in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. It was an incredible experience for my mind, body, and soul. Iona is considered a “thin space”—a place where the veil between heaven and earth feels thin.

Have you ever felt a thin place in your life? Maybe a thin moment? A place where God feels so close and the Spirit of God is moving? Maybe during a worship service, on a hike, or while admiring a sunset that seems otherworldly! You don’t have to travel across the world to find a thin place. God will meet you right where you sit today. I invite you to take a deep breath and settle in.

I booked this trip one year ago, and suddenly the day was here—24 hours of travel to land in Glasgow, and then another 12 hours to make our way to Iona. I can gleefully confirm that Iona is certainly a thin place. The land is sacred and beautiful. If Iona were a person, I would describe them as warm, friendly, and peaceful. Grounded, worn, and enjoying a slow pace of life. The entire island embodied “Sabbath”—something I have been avoiding for far too long.

When confronted with endless unstructured time and silence, I became so aware of the restlessness in my spirit. God met me there to remind me to stop, breathe, and be present. He is in control.

The trip began with a rocky start. I landed in Scotland with a heavy heart. I can’t explain it—other than heavy. Maybe you can relate to this feeling, when it seems like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, you have too many decisions to make, and you feel pulled in different directions. I tried everything I could to tuck my business away, build systems, and shut the metaphorical drawer of my professional life. Still, I felt the tug, the questions, the weight of the new stories—and the weight of my restless soul.

In hindsight, God’s timing for this trip was so kind. So many things in my life are out of my control, and I so desperately want to be in control. (cringe)

The trip was filled with many moments of God’s truth and kindness, and I wanted to share one with you. I hope it blesses you.

One day we set off on a hike to Columba’s Bay—a beautiful bay filled with rocks. We hiked for two hours, reached our destination, and began to hunt for beautiful stones. Our tour guide shared which precious ones to look for, and off we went.

Like a child, I hunted for rocks and thought of my kids and how fun it would be to bring some special ones home for them. After my hands went numb from the cold, I tucked them into my pockets and walked up to a rock prayer labyrinth in the grass. A prayer labyrinth is a beautiful place to walk, pray, and be silent (like a mini pilgrimage).

I entered the prayer labyrinth and asked the Lord to speak. I walked many steps, and finally, I felt the Holy Spirit ask me to grab all the rocks in my pocket. I laughed out loud. I had collected more than 50 rocks! I would have guessed around 15 or so—but no, I had picked up 50+. The Spirit revealed that I had picked up too many rocks. Rocks that are not meant for me. Rocks I’m not supposed to be carrying.

I’m holding too much. Carrying too much. I need to lay them down.

I don’t think I can fully understand the weight of this revelation yet. I plan to unpack it over the next few months as I guard my commitments, my yeses, and my schedule.

So I pose this same question to you, dear friend. Maybe you can ask the Lord to reveal what rocks you are holding. Often, it’s much more than we think.

• What are you carrying today?
  
  

• What is out of your control?
  
  

• What is the Lord asking you to lay down?
  
  

Maybe it’s the weight of other people’s expectations, a job, fear of failure, fear of the future... or a global trade war? (haha, no? Just me?)

Sometimes we pick up rocks that look beautiful, fun, exciting, and interesting. They’re not “bad”—they just aren’t for us, or for this season.

I walked down to the shores of Columba’s Bay, took every rock out of my pockets, and laid them down on a large volcanic rock. I laughed again—it was a sight. I then selected my top 8 to bring home and shoved them in my pockets. I grabbed the rest in both hands and threw them over my shoulders into the sea. CRASH! Goodbye.

I invite you to do the same.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
—Matthew 11:28–30

I also invite you to join me this summer as we focus on the RIGHT rocks and lean into the word of God together. I don’t know about you but it feels like such a time as this. We are hosting a self-guided summer bible study and would love for you to be apart of it. Let’s lean in together to what matters most.

Join Us: Bible Study Through the Seasons of Soap Volume 1