The People, Places, and Things of Rest
WELCOME to Issue #289 of The Seedhead from Alex and Hannah at Dandelion Resourcing
- a weekly confidence booster to help you step into naturally supernatural discipleship and mission!
A simple framework for spiritual health
The Big Idea
Leadership is a marathon rather than a sprint. To avoid the exhaustion that often comes with ministry, we must be intentional about identifying the specific people, places, and things that replenish our internal reserves. When we find the overlap of these three areas, we move from being drainers to being adders who serve others from a place of spiritual overflow.
We often find ourselves running at a pace that feels more like a 100-meter dash than a long-distance race. In the busyness of leading others, it is easy to forget that our own spiritual health is the foundation of our work. If we do not tend to our own hearts, we eventually have nothing left to give.
We have recently been teaching about a concept called soul care. This approach treats our spiritual life as something that requires constant replenishment rather than just occasional maintenance. We want to help you move away from the edge of burnout and toward a life of sustainable impact.
Jesus models this for us by frequently withdrawing to quiet places to be with his Father. He knew that the mission required a soul that was well-fed and rested. We must learn to follow his lead by identifying the specific elements that truly refresh our spirits.
"He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake" (Psalm 23:3).
The Soul People circle - Identifying the individuals who build you up and avoiding those who primarily drain your energy.
The Soul Places circle - Recognizing the environments where you most easily encounter God, such as nature, a quiet room, or a favorite cafe.
The Soul Things circle - Engaging in activities that bring you joy and rest, like hobbies, spiritual disciplines, or simply sleeping in.
The overlap of rest - Finding the sweet spot where people, places, and things come together for total soul restoration.
We discuss how to recognize if your soul circles are becoming thin. You will learn about the difference between daily, weekly, and annual rhythms of rest. We also share personal examples from our own lives, including our love for coffee and pickleball, as tools for restoration.
Next Steps
Audit your soul circles. Draw three overlapping circles and list the people, places, and things that currently refresh you.
Identify your thin circle. Determine which of the three areas needs the most attention right now.
Schedule a soul thing. Pick one activity from your list and put it on your calendar for this week.
Process with a friend. Share your lists with a trusted partner and ask them to help you stay intentional about your rest.
When we are weary, we must remember the invitation of Jesus: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).
True restoration is found in God as we intentionally make space for the things that refresh our hearts.
With love,
Alex + Hannah
ALEX AND HANNAH ABSALOM
