Carving out some space
Receiving the gift of margin in our lives.
As the academic year draws (or has already drawn) to a close, we’re taking a deep breath and looking for ways to reset. All of the activity that becomes crammed into these April and May weeks can take a toll on body and spirit, so we’re remembering our need for unrushed space. A few years ago, Christine Jeske’s series on creating margin in life struck a chord for many of us, and the wisdom still holds up today. How might you design your days to allow for a bit more margin, especially if you’re recovering from an overly full season?
“In losing margins, I lose the moments that make life beautiful. Margins are what keep me kind to my children, in love with my husband, able to listen, ready to serve, happy, healthy, learning, alert, alive.”
If you’re looking for a practical way to start, you might consider just … stopping. We’re reminded of Sara Scheunemann’s writing on leaving things undone — a practice that, when done intentionally, can be a true spiritual discipline. Sara writes of her practice of ceasing in relationship to Sabbath, and through her words we can hear an invitation to receive Sabbath rest not merely once per week, but every day as we put down the tools of our trade and call it a night. Might God be leading you into a new path of rest and refreshment in this season? The Lord is kind and loving and wants to share this good gift with you — no matter what your to-do list looks like.
“What if, at the end of my workday, I simply walked away from my desk? What if I stopped consulting my list of things to accomplish and simply let the tasks wait until tomorrow, even if I hadn’t completed all that I thought I should? What if I let those emails wait in my inbox?”
A note. If you head to The Well, you might notice a few little things that are different about our website — including a new landing page for Women Scholars & Professionals!
While we’re in the middle of some behind-the-scenes construction, some website features might be on the blink — so let us know if you have trouble finding anything. In the meantime, any new content will be posted here on our Substack page. Thanks for your patience with us!
You’re Invited!
Weekly prayer meetings are on a summer break! Stay tuned for prayer to begin again in August. If you are hoping to have someone pray for you, our team will be glad to receive your prayer requests by emailing us at wsap@intervarsity.org.
Summer Book Club…We’d love you to join us as we read and discuss Redeeming Eden: How Women in the Bible Advance the Story of Salvation (Ingrid Faro with Joyce Koo Dalrymple, Zondervan 2025). Click here for details and registration.
FROM OUR FRIENDS AT INTERVARSITY PRESS
IVP Faculty exam copies. Professors can request a free exam or desk copy. Register for a professional account to access this benefit!
InterVarsity alums get 40% off! Use promo code IVCFALUMNI40 to get a 40% discount at ivpress.com.
Four More Things We Loved This Week
Why “sandwich generation” has never felt very accurate — and a new metaphor to consider.
A theology of thrift shopping. (Christianity Today, unlocked)
“How do I do self-care when my mental health makes everything harder?” Wisdom for everyone with or without a diagnosis.