Unplugged and Present: What 15 Middle School Girls Taught Me About Rest
“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. ”
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to take 15 middle school girls to the Smoky Mountains for a retreat. Yes, there were late nights, plenty of laughter, and moments where I wondered just how long they would make me sing karaoke on the bus ride home. But as I drove back, I realized that I felt more alive in Christ than when I had left—stronger because of the intentional choice to step away from the busyness of life.
I’m learning in ministry about the cycles of busyness. (Plot twist: it’s always busy.) But fall, especially, feels like the calm before the storm, right before everything ramps up. Honestly, I questioned my own sanity in planning a retreat right before the hectic season ahead. In the coming weeks, I’ll be preaching, juggling additional ministry responsibilities, attending more Christmas parties than I can count, and somehow squeezing in time with family amidst all the chaos.
Yet, as I reflected on the weekend, Isaiah’s words resonated deeply:
"In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength." (Isaiah 30:15)
That promise came alive for me this weekend. We took intentional time to connect with each other and, more importantly, with the Lord. We set aside moments for devotions, small group sessions, prayer journaling, and simply being still before God. And while my ears are still ringing from all the screaming, I found myself not wanting to leave that sacred space we had created.
In many of my conversations with my students—and even with some of their parents—I often hear the same refrain: “I’m just so busy.” Our quiet time and rest in Jesus are constantly competing with every single thing this world throws our way. We live in a culture that idolizes busyness, where packed schedules are worn like badges of honor. But in the midst of all that noise, we are starving our souls of what we truly need: stillness, rest, and intimacy with our Savior.
Gen Alpha is growing up in a world that often prioritizes productivity over spiritual growth. According to Barna Group, many parents express concerns that their children are too busy to cultivate spiritual practices like prayer or reading the Bible. However, studies also indicate that parents who intentionally set aside time for faith-related activities for their children—like devotions, prayer, and church attendance—are more likely to have children who develop strong spiritual habits into their teen years.
What amazed me most this weekend was how these girls longed for this time away. They weren't just going through the motions—they were genuinely eager to dive into small groups and were relentless in making sure we didn’t miss any of our devotions. Their enthusiasm was so contagious that it inspired me to seek out more moments of stillness and rest in my own life.
What truly moved me was watching these girls embrace intentionality. Seeing them step out onto the porch with their Bibles, seeking God in the early morning quiet, filled my heart with so much joy. In a world that constantly tells us to keep moving, we chose to be intentional about resting in God. And while there may not have been much actual sleeping, there was an abundance of true rest.
As we head into the holiday season, which can often feel like one long sprint, I encourage you to carve out moments of stillness. It doesn’t have to be a grand retreat in the mountains—sometimes it’s as simple as turning off your phone for an hour, sitting quietly with your Bible.
Is your schedule overflowing with activities that leave you drained, or are you making space for the things that truly matter? The girls I spent the weekend with reminded me that rest doesn’t come from the absence of activity but from intentionally choosing to be present with God.
