A break isn’t always about being broken.

03Apr
by Jon Swanson

Last week I took a break from writing here. I also took a break from snacking. Not on food, on information. It grew out of what I’ve been learning about stopping snacking on food during the last three months. I’ll talk more about that some day.

On Sunday, I wondered about not coming back from that break. Just quitting. I’m not. And I’ll talk more about that some day.

On Sunday I listened to a video from my friend Becky. Becky’s got a new book out called Small Town Rules. Becky and Barry talk about how big brands can learn from the best small towns and small businesses. Some day soon, we’re going to talk about that book, especially as it relates to small communities of followers of Jesus. There are some intriguing ideas about caring and flexibility and knowing names that have me thinking about the interest in smaller gatherings.

But that’s not for today. What is for today is that Becky was talking in her video about seasons. She reminded me that there are seasons in every business. And in every life. There are times of planting. And weeding. And harvesting. And plowing under. Ripping out the old vines, the old stalks, the old stumps is not a sign of failure. It may be a sign of health.

And I thought about God’s words to the Israelites about their new land.  Work it for six years, let it rest for the seventh. Live off what comes up on its own in that seventh year.

There are seasons, there are cycles. The feeling of exhaustion might be perfectly legitimate. The need for starting things over may be evidence of growth, not failure. The inability to touch the keyboard while waiting for the next words may not be writer’s block.

—

If you want Becky’s book, here’s my amazon link, and the kindle edition. (I bought the Kindle one).

10 thoughts on “A break isn’t always about being broken.”

  1. Pingback: I wonder? | Teachings from the Trail

  3. josephruizjr's avatar

    josephruizjr

    Glad you came back Jon, really glad you didn’t quit. I need to stop snacking on information, I am traveling now but will leave comments on the 7 minutes site. Thank you for being an important part of a discipline this past Lent and Now. It has made a difference.
    Grace and Peace
    Joe

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  4. Rich Dixon's avatar

    Rich Dixon

    I saw a quote yesterday. Phil Cooke said, “NO FRUIT is a sign of a dead process.”

    I thought, “Maybe. Or maybe it just needs more time. Maybe it’s not fruit season quite yet.”

    And I’m glad you’re back. Hope you are as well.

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    1. Jon Swanson's avatar

      Jon Swanson

      I understand the point of Phil’s quote. But I agree with your comments.

      And maybe we need to think of the vineyard, not just individual plants. Or processes.

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  5. Andrew Bernhardt's avatar

    Andrew Bernhardt

    I was thinking a couple of days ago about witnessing to others. After you sow seeds, you can’t keep plowing the ground and expect something to grow. You need to give the seeds time to sprout and grow. Try watering instead. Otherwise you won’t have a harvest. Breaks are good at times.

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    1. Jon Swanson's avatar

      Jon Swanson

      well said andrew. Things take time to grow and mature. There is a fundamental patience about farming (one year crops) and vineyards (several year crops) and orchards (decade crops) and forestry.

      Breaks are good.

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