Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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The productivity of rest

January 9, 2019 by Kristin 14 Comments

My fish found her way back to the pool this week. Rachel’s swim teacher wanted her to float on her back, stretch out her legs, and kick slowly. At first, Rachel wanted to kick quickly and squirm. But the more still she became, the better and faster she floated.

On the surface, being still doesn’t make sense if you want to move forward. But when her body was stretched out and relaxed, it moved more freely on the surface of the water with some gentle kicks.

I sat poolside and watched her, thinking about how I’m the exact same way. I want to solve the problems, improve the situation, and do the things that need to be done. But I’m better off to be still before God first. When my actions come from that stillness, they’re more meaningful and on point to whatever the mission.

I read “The Sacred Enneagram” by Christopher Heuertz and really needed to hear his thoughts on stillness as related to the different types. I’m a 1w2, for those of you into the Enneagram.

“Rest meets the deepest needs of the Idealists, who are continually agitated, never satisfied, and often upset with themselves for failing to live into their impossible standards of excellence (One), originality (Four), or flexibility (Seven). Rest gives Ones, Fours, and Sevens a break from their constant frustration. When Ones rest in stillness, they find their breath and let themselves off the hook for not always getting everything perfect. It’s okay for Ones to stop fixing everything, themselves included, and relax.”

– Christopher Heuertz in “The Sacred Enneagram”

There is freedom in that encouragement to rest.

I want to lay my head back in the water, letting all the noises in the world be muffled as my ears dip below the surface. I want to let my eyes look up, not worrying about all the things going on around me at the moment. I want to give gentle kicks to get where I need to go while still resting in God’s ways.

Maybe that means I need to continue being selective about who I let speak truth into my life. Maybe I need to move slower throughout my days, leaving margin for stillness. Perhaps I should talk less and listen more.

I want to remember rest often
leads to productive action.

{Tweet that.}

By the end of Rachel’s lesson the other day, she was floating like a champ. She was slower and calmer in her movements and ended up going farther across the pool. I watched her jump in and maneuver onto her back, to a place of rest.

*****

As I was writing this, I realized I wrote about floating and faith last year too. Obviously, this is an analogy God uses to speak truth into my life. In 2019, I want to focus on living faithfully and I certainly needed this reminder of the power in stillness and rest.

*****

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Filed Under: Porch Stories Tagged With: books, faith, quotes, Rachel

Comments

  1. Michele Morin says

    January 9, 2019 at 6:40 am

    Ack! This post lands right in the solar plexus of this Three. I needed that reminder that rest may lead to more productivity than frenzied activity.
    Blessings to you!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 9, 2019 at 7:38 am

      My husband is a 3. We share a love for productivity. 🙂 Have you read Sacred Enneagram? I think you’d really be encouraged by the section on rest & stillness. Thanks for being here, Michele!

      Reply
  2. Barbara Harper says

    January 9, 2019 at 6:40 am

    I thought perhaps this was a repost of your former one at first – I remembered being struck by that metaphor of floating and resting in God to hold us up and guide us. Thanks for sharing this idea again and adding to it. It’s something we need to be reminded of often since we’re so prone to flail about rather than rest.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 9, 2019 at 7:40 am

      Isn’t funny how God knows we need repetition? The metaphor really works for my understanding too. I love watching my girl out there swimming and I love how God doesn’t waste any moments to teach us. I’m glad you could be encouraged (again), Barbara!

      Reply
  3. Jodie says

    January 9, 2019 at 8:54 am

    I’ve thought I was many numbers but I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m also a One!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 9, 2019 at 8:56 am

      Welcome to the Enneagram in all your One-ness. 🙂 Thanks for being here today too, Jodie!

      Reply
  4. Laurie says

    January 9, 2019 at 11:05 am

    I recently went through a similar experience with my grandson at his swim lessons. Wonderful analogy to de-stressing by relaxation. Thank you, Kristin!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 9, 2019 at 3:14 pm

      Thank YOU for being here, Laurie! I’m glad you got to experience a similar lesson. Hooray for swim lessons! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Lauren Sparks says

    January 9, 2019 at 12:23 pm

    Even though the thought of being on top of the pool in my swim suit causes me anxiety, your analogy is still a peaceful thought. What do you know? laurensparks.net

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 9, 2019 at 2:51 pm

      I’m glad you found some peace. 🙂 Thanks for being here, Lauren!

      Reply
  6. Lisa notes says

    January 10, 2019 at 3:12 pm

    I loved The Sacred Enneagram. I’m a 5, wing 4 (I think). I recently heard that “Resting isn’t quitting.” I found that quite profound! 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 11, 2019 at 9:10 am

      Oh, that’s good! I’m glad you’re here, Lisa!

      Reply
  7. Melissa says

    January 13, 2019 at 1:32 pm

    I’ve been binging The Enneagram Journey podcast with Suzanne Stabile. Did I tell you that I might be an actual 7 with so much 1 right now because I’m under so much stress !?!?!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 13, 2019 at 6:47 pm

      Oh! No, last you told me, you thought you were a 3 instead of a 1. Keep me updated on what you discover! 🙂 Thanks for being here, Melissa!

      Reply

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About Me

Telling stories is my therapy and I love sharing them with friends on my porch.

The main characters in my stories are my entrepreneur husband, our ninth-grade girl who never forgets, our have-no-fear sixth-grade boy, and our joy-filled kindergarten girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

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