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. (Mt 11:29)

Back in January, I wrote about choosing the word “renew” word for 2020. According to Merriam Webster’s Dictionary, renew means “to make like new; restore to freshness, vigor, or perfection.”

I chose this word because I felt depleted. After years of nonstop busyness, from running my editing business to volunteering at church and for writing organizations, I knew I was heading for burnout. I wasn’t getting enough physical rest, but this sense of depletion felt deeper. I studied spiritual rest and discovered how it’s different than physical rest—it’s a rest for the soul and a time of drawing closer to God.

During January and February, I continued to struggle with how to implement spiritual rest. I had already stepped away from some volunteer activities and reduced my responsibilities with others, but did I need to give up even more?

And then COVID-19 hit, sending the world into quarantine. The quarantine was difficult in many ways, but I want to focus on the positive, namely that I had more than enough time to ponder my priorities, pray for spiritual renewal, and put God’s responses into practice.

As 2020 rolls on, I continue to feel the need for renewal. I wonder what the second half of the year will bring, and I know that the spiritual rest I’ve found will shape my responses. Perhaps it will solidify some of the good habits I’ve implemented.

So far, I’m seeing renewal in the following areas:

My mind. I read uplifting material and listen to inspiring podcasts and Christian music. This keeps my mind on positive things and does wonders for my attitude. When faced with anxieties that just won’t go away, I journal about them, which frees my mind of the burden it carried.

My physical body. I walk my dog almost every day, garden, and work in the yard. My yard has never looked so nice.

My spiritual life. I spend time with Jesus by participating in online Bible studies, reading plans with others in the YouVersion Bible app, and praying (my spiritual discipline for the year). I sought books and Bible app plans about prayer so that I could learn more. I attended online worship and women’s events in locations where I will most likely never travel in real life.

My relationships. There’s nothing quite like a pandemic to show you where you stand in a relationship. It became clear that I was holding onto some friendships long after the other person had moved on. This doesn’t mean that we aren’t still friends; on the contrary, we will always be friends. But friendships change as each person in the relationship grows and as seasons of life change, and I needed to accept those changes and the new season we were in. And as I let go of some friendships, others grew even deeper as we set aside time to video chat, text, or talk on the phone, sharing struggles, prayer requests, and victories.

I’m learning renewal comes from quality time spent with God. The closer I am to God, the more refreshed I feel. This is a lesson that I can apply whenever I feel overwhelmed or anxious. Jesus is there, ready to fill my cup once again.

Dear Jesus, thank you for spiritual rest and the ways you have shown me I can draw closer to you. When I am tired or overwhelmed, help me to turn to you for renewal. Amen.