Rest is a discipline I still need to learn.  My sabbatical reminded me that stepping away from ministry responsibilities is not the same as truly resting. I often know how to stay busy, productive, and engaged, but I am still learning how to receive rest as a gift from God rather than feeling the need to justify it. This time away exposed my need to grow in quietness, margin, and intentional renewal. 

Distance brought clarity and deeper gratitude for Graceland, marriage, and family.  Traveling internationally and domestically gave me the perspective that is difficult to gain while remaining in the normal rhythms of ministry. Time away helped me see more clearly the blessings, relationships, and opportunities Jesus has entrusted to me through Graceland. It also revealed that my gratitude had not always been expressed as fully or consistently as it should have been. I returned with a renewed appreciation for my bride, my kids, the church, and friends. 

Quiet, Scripture, and journaling are life-giving for me.  During the sabbatical, I was reminded how much I delight in and crave unhurried time with God—reading the Word, journaling, and listening in quiet. These practices are not infrequent for me but I experienced a growing desire to simply read, meditate, journal, and pray. My hope is to get up a little earlier than normal and have that unhurried time with Jesus before the busyness of the day creeps in.  

I need both solitude and meaningful community.  Although quiet and personal reflection were deeply restorative, I also recognized that extended time alone is not naturally life-giving for me. I need the presence of others, especially Lauren, my kids, and friends. At the same time, our time together is most fruitful when it includes experiences that are both life-giving and challenging—such as hiking, exploring, and doing things that create shared memories rather than simply filling time. 

The church’s generosity made this renewal possible.  I am deeply grateful for Graceland’s gracious provision of a sabbatical stipend. That generosity allowed me to travel, rest, reflect, and be renewed in ways that would not have been possible otherwise. The sabbatical was a tangible expression of the church’s care, and I do not take that investment lightly. I returned with renewed energy, greater clarity, and a deeper desire and excitement to serve Graceland faithfully and gratefully.