Yesterday I shared with my spiritual direction peer supervision group that the last month or so I have experienced a lack of energy to do the things I really want to do. Following a period of intense prayer and productivity (I just finished a nine-month Ignatian 19th annotation retreat and a graduate program in spiritual direction) I was experiencing difficulty and dryness in both prayer and writing.
At that point, one of my wise colleagues pointed out the need to “remain fallow” once in a while, to step back from even the best of things in order to replenish ourselves. When I looked up the definition of fallow, I was amazed at how well it matched my own situation:
Fallow: Plowed and harrowed but left unsown for a period in order to restore its fertility as part of a crop rotation or to avoid surplus production.
The truth is, I all too often equate my spiritual health with what I am “doing.” How many blog posts? How many pages in my journal? How’s that book project coming along? The planning for next fall’s retreat? These are all important things that need to get done, but they need to flow from my “down time” with God. They are the result of silence and prayer, not the source.
What I’ve come to realize is that it’s okay to not be productive for a while (and that’s a tough one for me). It’s okay to simply sit “fallow” with God in prayer, without agenda or even words, knowing that God is plowing and harrowing me, leaving me unsown in order to restore my fruitfulness at the time only God controls. God’s work, God’s time.
Ask yourself in silence: Do I need to make some time to just “be” with God?
Thanks very much for this message! I realize I’ve been ‘fallow’ long enough and need to be doing more for God’s work!
You speak my thoughts.
Oh yes Steve, even as a small time writer, I experience periods of ‘dryness’ where I am completely bereft of thoughts, ideas, inspiration.
And especially for someone like you who are used to being a prolific ‘producer’, the ‘dry’ period can be quite daunting and difficult to accept.
You have a wise friend there who introduced you to the ‘fallow’ period. It is a thought most of us can borrow and find some consolation in spiritually or even merely physically, for indeed regardless of the fields we are in, this period for rest and replenishment may just be the elixir for an even more productive afterwards!
Warm regards,
Lily Lee
Thanks, Jan (one of the most productive and creative people I know!)
Tell the gang in Beaconsfield hey…
Steve
Thanks, Jean. Go do it…
Thank you, Lily. As always, you amplify my thoughts and bring new and deeper meaning by your comments…
Steve – Just take the time to reflect and talk with your/our savior. Your friends don’t expect you to do something to entertain or enlighten us every day. Take the time you need to replenish yourself and walk whatever path that you are destined to follow. Even if it takes you til the end of time, we still love and respect you for the man you are.
Thank you, Jim, as always…
I just finished another school year. I teach first grade. I can totally relate to this entry. It makes me feel better! The school year gets so busy. Actually when I am off for the summer I often feel a sense of guilt for wanting to sit and just do nothing for awhile. I wrote you at beginning of school year. One of your Today’s Word entries inspired me to volunteer to lead a book club for kids before school. I held my book club for third graders once a week for the entire year. What a joy! Plan to do it again next school year. Thanks for your spiritual writings!
Thanks, Kathee. Hope you a re finding some time to relax and get ready for next year. My daughter just graduated from college and will begin teaching 2nd grade this August…she’s very excited!
Steve
Thank you for your words today, it’s just what I needed.
How I needed your words today, Steve! How easy it is to advise and suggest to others the need to rest and reflect, and how difficult it can be for those of us who are used to multi-tasking all the time. Is it that we expect too much of ourselves, or that we feel this urgency to get out what we are drawn to do? I only know that with your history and the events in my life, the awareness of the brevity of our days, for me anyway, does seem to be the catalyst to plow through, rather than plow some then quietly sit in that field for a while and soak up all the joy and life and words God is sending my way. You really have me thinking today.
You are amazing! How much you have accomplished already and how many lives you touch with your work and words! You are a blessing. Take care of you, my friend and know our prayers are with you and your family always.
Congratulations to your daughter! Such an accomplishment and an exciting time! One of my daughters taught high school for several years before having her little ones. I remember so well her enthusiasm and how she loved those kids! (and they her!)
My best to you and your family. Again, thank you for your words today. The timing could not have been more perfect for me.
God bless,
Kathleen
Thanks, Lottie….