Good morning from beautiful Colorado! I have to tell you, it has been a heck of a week.

On the surface, I’m celebrating a “win”: I managed to keep both feet on the ground. I didn’t jump in to solve everyone else’s problems, and I didn’t offer any unsolicited advice. But if I’m being completely honest? Right now, I’m so exhausted that I’ve moved past worrying if others are being kind to themselves. I just need to decompress. Sigh.

Let me pull back the curtain on why my spirit is so weary. This week, I sat in the car as my husband went into the doctor’s office to deal with a health issue. While waiting for him, I was on the phone sharing the news of my blog’s growth with a dear friend. Then, a text popped up from my husband that stopped my heart: “Spencer died.”

Spencer was my children’s and husband’s doctor. He had been our physician since my youngest was only three years old—now, he’s thirty-one. To lose someone who has been a steady part of your family’s life for nearly three decades so suddenly… it leaves you speechless.

On top of the grief and health scares, we had a literal “territory war” in our backyard. A feral cat had claimed our yard and was marking everything in sight. After a year of waiting, we finally caught him (lured in by a very tasty can of salmon!). We dropped him off at the Denver Animal Shelter, where he’ll be in good hands. But even that—the trapping, the spraying, the removing—added another layer of stress to an already overflowing cup.

Learning to Lean Into the Weekend
When life hits you with grief, health scares, and even neighborhood nuisances all at once, your body and soul hit a wall. This weekend, I am intentionally stepping away. I am choosing to decompress by doing things I love—whether that’s a quiet walk in the crisp Colorado air or simply sitting in the silence.

I want to encourage you: if your week felt like a battlefield, give yourself permission to disconnect and recharge. You don’t have to be the hero today. You just have to be you.

Scripture for Reflection

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” — Psalm 23:2-3 (NIV)

A Prayer for the Weary

Lord, thank You for being our shelter when the storms of life feel relentless. We lift up the family of Dr. Spencer and ask for Your comfort in the face of sudden loss. We ask for healing and peace over our health and our homes. As we head into this weekend, help us to truly let go. Lead us to those “quiet waters” where our souls can be restored. Remind us that rest is not a luxury, but a gift from You. Amen.