An Encouraging Anchor for Your Week

Finding a Better Rhythm When Life Feels Too Full

If you know me and we've been friends for a while, then you're in on this little secret:

I’m a planner.

Not the kind who just writes things down occasionally — I mean the girl who genuinely loves a good planning system.

Franklin Covey planner? Check.
Planner Pad? Check.
Google Keep for those random thoughts I don’t want to forget? Check. Oh, yeah, and the others, but, y'know...)

Planning has always been a natural part of how I stay organized and focused. Seriously, just ask my mom.

But lately, I’ll be honest… I’ve felt a little off my game.

Not because life is falling apart or because I stopped caring about the things that matter, but because life is full and shifting right now.

A full-time career. Family responsibilities. A blog and shop that I care deeply about, and a desire to keep growing spiritually and personally.

All good things. But sometimes when you’re growing, your old rhythms stop working the way they used to.

And that’s exactly where I find myself right now.

And friend to friend, the truth is, I haven’t figured this all out yet. I’m still planning, still praying for focus, and still moving forward. But I’ve realized something important in this season:

Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do isn’t to push harder… it’s to pause long enough to ask God,

“Lord, how do You want me to walk through this season?”

Recently I started noticing that while I had systems for managing tasks…

I didn’t always have a rhythm for my life.

And those two things are very different.

You can have the best planner in the world and still feel scattered if your days don’t have a healthy rhythm.

Jesus even invites us into a different rhythm altogether. In Matthew 11:28–30, He says, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” His rhythm isn’t pressure—it’s peace.

So right now I’m doing something simple.

I’m slowing down enough to rethink how my weeks actually flow. Not perfectly, but intentionally.

One thing I’ve started adding to my evenings is something simple.

Ten or fifteen quiet minutes before the day ends where I ask God:

“Lord, who can I encourage or pray for?”

Sometimes a coworker comes to mind, maybe a long time friend, often a family member, or sometimes it’s just a moment to sit quietly and listen.

I don’t rush it. And I’m learning that those quiet moments often shift my heart from the busyness of the day to the people God has placed around me. I wait to encounter Him and truly hear His small voice.

I’m beginning to believe that living intentionally isn’t about having the perfect system.

It’s about creating space for God to guide the rhythm of our days.

Scripture reminds us that “The Lord directs the steps of the godly” (Psalm 37:23). Sometimes the clarity we’re looking for doesn’t come from pushing harder, but from pausing long enough for God to redirect our steps.

And sometimes that means stepping back and asking:planner

What really matters this week?
Where is God asking me to focus?
What can I release to God or delegate to someone else?

​Proverbs 3:5–6 reminds us to trust the Lord with all our hearts and not lean on our own understanding. When we invite Him into our plans, He promises to guide our path.

If you’re someone who normally feels organized but lately life has felt a little scattered…my girl, you’re not alone.

Know this right now, my friend: sometimes seasons change, responsibilities grow, and the rhythms that once worked need to be adjusted. That doesn’t mean you’re failing, it might simply mean God is inviting you into a new rhythm.

And that’s the journey I’m on right now. So for now, I’m doing what I’ve always done:

I’m planning, I’m praying, and I’m trusting God to guide the next steps.

Little by little, day by day.

And if you’re in a similar season, maybe we can walk through it together? Share your thoughts, I'd love to pray for you.

Scripture of the Week

​Ecclesiastes 3:1​

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.”

Sometimes the pressure we feel isn’t because we’re doing something wrong. It’s because we’re trying to apply an old rhythm to a new season.

God, in His wisdom, designed life with seasons. Seasons of growth. Seasons of rest. Seasons of stretching. When life shifts, it may not be a sign that things are falling apart.

It may be an invitation to pause, listen, and allow God to help us realign our priorities with what matters most right now.

Challenge for the Week

This week, try something simple, shall we?

Before your day ends, take 10 quiet minutes with God and ask:

• Who can I encourage today?
• What mattered most today?
• What can I release to God tonight?

You might be surprised how quickly those small moments begin to reshape the rhythm of your days.

Intentional living rarely starts with dramatic change.

Most of the time, it begins with a quiet moment of surrender.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly and Gracious Father,

Sometimes life moves faster than my heart can process.

Responsibilities grow, schedules fill up, and before I realize it, I’m running through my days without stopping to ask where You want me to focus.

Help me slow down enough to hear Your voice.

Show me what truly matters in this season of my life.

Give me wisdom to release the things that aren’t mine to carry, and courage to focus on the things You’ve placed in front of me.

Teach me to walk through my days with intention instead of pressure.

And Lord, help me notice the people around me who need encouragement, prayer, or simply a reminder that they are not alone.

Guide the rhythm of my life so that my days reflect Your peace instead of the world’s pace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

In Love and Christ,

Dorene Elizabeth

600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246
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