Summer 2026 Editor’s Note: Pause

This summer, let’s commit to slowing down and enjoying the season, together

A few weeks ago, I was chatting with a coworker about how important it is to take your vacation days. And then, as I thought about how many vacation days I haven’t taken in 2026, I said, “But I never do that myself.” 

Here’s the thing: I’m really, really bad at pushing pause. 

I like a to-do list, always have a list of chores and projects I can work on whenever “I get a minute,” and feel guilty if I ever find myself sitting on the couch watching a TV show and doing nothing else. No folding laundry. No crocheting. No writing a post or article for this website. 

Just sitting and being. 

So, lately, I’ve been forcing myself to do one thing at a time. To sit and watch the show and give it my full attention. To read without the TV on. To take a walk without headphones and really connect with my neighborhood and the world around me. 

I’m still not very good at pausing, but I’m trying. 

I don’t know about you, but it’s been a busy season for me. Work has been busy. I traveled internationally. I wrote, recorded and produced 12 podcasts in a three month span. With the school year coming to a close, I know it’s been an even crazier season for parents, whether you’re going to preschool presentations or graduations. Life is busy and our calendars are full — and hitting pause and taking time to rest and refocus isn’t always easy. 

But it’s necessary. 

We aren’t made to go, go, go all the time. Our bodies need rest — and so do our souls and our spirits. And that’s the invitation I’m extending to all of us during the next three months here at The Bookery. Our Summer 2026 theme is simple: pause 

What does it mean to stop striving to “do better” in your relationship with Christ? What does it look like to abide in your relationship with him? What are some ways you can push pause on busyness and refocus on what truly matters? Are there recipes and practices you can start in your life that make feeding and nourishing your family easier? What books feel like a deep breath? 

We’ll be exploring all of that and more this summer at The Bookery. So as you head into the summer months, think about real ways you can slow down and refocus rather than adding more to your to-do list. Let’s push pause together!