Rest is a Requirement, Not an Option

And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. Genesis 2:2 KJV

I know many of us are planning our 2016 calendar. We want to do better than previous years. We want to share with more people, expand our networking, and increase our profits.

I can relate. I began planning in the Fall of last year. As I got closer to 2016, I did a review of 2015. I had to evaluate what worked well for my relationship with God, my family, writing, teaching, and speaking. I realized in 2016 since I work a full time job, I could not have every Saturday booked. Additionally, although I am a writer and love to read, so does my soon-to-be eight-year-old son.  However, reading does not come easy for him. Therefore, while school is in session, I cannot hold meetings during the week.

This limits my work schedule. I’ve come to understand that’s just fine. If I overwork myself, I’ll limit my productivity. Reading my Bible, I saw that even God had a rest day. Now thinking about God, and who He is, I asked why in the world would He need rest? He’s GOD!

I truly believe His example of resting was for our benefit. We are human. He is not. Yet, He leads by example. Rest for man is not an option; it’s a requirement. Once I came to terms with this requirement, I planned my calendar as such that I work only two Saturdays out of the month. Having at least two Saturdays at home, allows me to manage my household and be available for my family. Ultimately, when my family is in harmony, my business is more productive.

Ponding this rest principle makes me consider tithing. Tithing requires us to set aside a tenth of all increase. Rest requires us to set aside a percentage of all production. One might ask, how can you get ahead giving? My answer is, truthfully, I do not know. God provides the increase. And I have witnessed; my bank account looks better when I give, and my household sings happily when I rest.

Happy 2016 everyone! Work and Rest Well!

Brook Lynn

Brook Lynn Dorcent

Author/Coach/Inspirational Speaker

Founder/Facilitator: JUST WRITE! - A Club for Writers

Missing the Mark (Novel One)

Pressing Toward the Mark (Novel Two)

Forgetting Betrayal (Novel Three)

Above All (Novel Four)

His Wedding Vow (A Novella) Coming Soon

Spirit Over Will (Devotional)

www.brooklynndorcent.com

Why Not...Read for Love

Becoming a Master Chef

As we end this year, I’ve done a little reflection. And here’s what I’ve learned.

It’s easy jumping into various pots/roles, especially women. We share so many roles -- wife, mom, sister and best friend. Our additional pots are, full time employee, part time business owner, community advocate, and PTA participant. You name it; we’re there. 

Give it a few good months, after doing all these things, we find ourselves becoming irritable, overwhelmed, confused and sick. How does this happen? We started off full blast with good intentions. Hey, we’re every woman, right? I love that song. I sing it boldly, shaking my head to the beat.

I’ve learned and I’m not sad to report; I am not every woman. Yes, God gave us the ability to multi-task. There are occasions that call for it. However, God also created a diverse group of women. We don’t have to do everything. No woman should ever feel like a failure because she can’t jump into another pot, especially if she is cooking in other areas of her life. See the food in her pots, she’s not going to eat alone, she’s already sharing it with her family, church, job and friends.

When another pot is presented to her, she peeks inside and feels a tug on her spoon/heart to add ingredients. I have no doubt her flavor would make it all the better, but what happens when she pours into several pots at one time? She depletes her ingredients.

I write this piece, because I have jumped into pots, knowing I’m already at the end of my ingredients. We women had a deep desire to be helpful. However, we must remember the calling. You know the one calling God placed on your life. Never neglect that ONE. I almost did. One day, I heard clearly while praying, “I never intended for you to stop writing.” For me that was like hearing, return to your first love. It was a wonderful sound and a stress reliever.

Yes, the pots will continually present themselves, what we must remember is the one calling. No, we don’t turn our back on the pots, we say, “I’d really like to help, but I don’t have the time to make it excellent.” This I learned from my fellow author during an interview. Thank you Toshiba!

The next thing we do is reach out for help. We have a pool of contacts on social media and email. When a pot arrives that we cannot contribute to, pray and call on the help of others.

There’s a way to fill all the pots and everyone may enjoy the food.

Become a Master Chef confident in your calling!

Brook Lynn Dorcent

Author/Coach/Inspirational Speaker

Founder/Facilitator: JUST WRITE! - A Club for Writers

Missing the Mark (Novel One)

Pressing Toward the Mark (Novel Two)

Forgetting Betrayal (Novel Three)

Above All (Novel Four)

His Wedding Vow (A Novel) Coming 2016

Spirit Over Will (Devotional)

OUTStanding (Pre-teen Guide)

www.brooklynndorcent.com

Say, AHHHHHH!

It’s not quite autumn. However, my youngest child has returned to school. I grew up in New York, and there, we didn’t return to school until after Labor Day. This time was closer to beginning a new season. I loved this time – new season, new clothes, new possibilities and the exciting, yet, calming presence that followed.

Autumn has been defined as a time of darkening. The leaves fall off the trees, the air cools, and life appears lonely for many. It is also a time of harvest and hope -- a season that allows us to calm our spirit and settle down, but not without expectation.

Growing up, I learned to expect my own personal harvest. Each new school year meant I was getting older, evolving, maturing, and learning more and more about myself. By the time I was nine or ten, I learned I liked the fruit that came with autumn.

With this season came a structured routine for my days. I knew what time I would rise, head out for school, return home, do homework, chores, bathe, have downtime and rest. It was all defined. By no means was it boring to me. This was how I became most productive by having a schedule and adults in my life that supported and provided guidance.

In your life you may be prepared to step out of your summer. You’ve decided that you’ve played long enough and now you’re ready to settle into your autumn. You’re very excited about the newness of this season and what fruit will follow. A talk with God and an active plan will help provide calmness, along with the right guiding and supporting people in your life.

Not only am I looking toward the physical season of autumn, the cooling of the air, the change in the color of the leaves, and the strong branches that will remain, I rejoice over my personal autumn.

I’m not afraid of the labor. I love the harvest. I look forward to enjoying the fruit, taking a healthy bite and saying…Ahhh. I also look forward to sharing the fruit with others.

I hope you’ll join me and step into your personal autumn.

 Brook Lynn Dorcent

Author/Coach/Inspirational Speaker

Founder/Facilitator: JUST WRITE! - A Club for Writers

Missing the Mark (Novel One)

Pressing Toward the Mark (Novel Two)

Forgetting Betrayal (Novel Three)

Above All (Novel Four)

His Christmas Vow (A Novella) Coming Christmas 2015

Spirit Over Will (Devotional)

www.brooklynndorcent.co

Light Up in the Presence of Passion

Can you name your most memorable teacher? Quite a few have had a continual impact in my life. In second grade, there was Ms. Rose. I am not sure of her religion then. She always wore a black dress with a cross around her neck. Her gift to us was an unlimited supply of salted pretzel sticks.

Then there was fourth grade, Ms. Evans. This militant lady sported a massive salt and pepper Afro, wore white turtlenecks; tucked neatly into her flare navy skirt, and soft walking shoes. Ms. Evans canvassed the rows of desks and chairs, shoulders back, sturdy and strong with a list of directives. You will not lean over the back of your chairs, you will face forward, you will begin each page of schoolwork with a proper heading, and you will do your homework. And we did.

There was the beautiful Ms. Wilson, our creative arts and dance teacher in fifth grade. Don’t ask me how Ms. Wilson wore daily a pressed to perfection skirt suit while teaching drawing and dancing, but she did. And we were good! Well, the dancing was for me. My artwork wasn’t very good. Ms. Wilson never judged and always encouraged me to do better.

Finally, I have to name Mr. Gruber, my high school math teacher. I will admit I had a crush on this Jewish, balding man, whose shirt never remained tucked into his jeans. He moved sloppily across the chalkboards and spoke passionately about congruent angles with a very audible lisp. 

I was falling for Mr. Gruber in my most discrete way. Why? Perhaps, because he convinced me that I was just as smart as my classmates. In fact, after I tested poorly, he would go over the exam with me. Not only that, he would design me another test. Consequently, I begin passing with A’s and B’s the first go round. This teacher wasn’t physically attractive in any way to me. (I’m sure he was to his WIFE!) His actions were never inviting or inappropriate. His passion, however, was contagious. It mesmerized me! How anyone could love a triangle or an algebraic equation so much? Good God.

I’m thinking about memorable teachers because as my JUST WRITE! writing class continues to grow; I continue to grow as a teacher. I know that if I offer my students, literary terms, technical skills with guidance, but lack passion, I am just sounding tinkling brass.

The burning passion is the love that brings life to any topic. It connects the teacher and student. Long after the student and teacher enter separate worlds, the passion will always be their conduit. You may not be a teacher or a writer. However, whatever you do in life, do it passionately. Passion draws us and captures our attention. In fact, I think somewhere in the Bible, God says, with love and kindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3

Keep passion in your life. For it leaves a timeless imprint, allowing you to touch someone’s soul. Amazingly, twenty plus years later, when I see a congruent triangle, I will remember Mr. Gruber and smile. A spark is ignited and I light up to make it a passionate day for you and for me!