A Story About Hurry Sickness, Peace, and Taking a Holy Pause

The Early-Morning Truth Teller

Ha — “Mom, that is you.”

Nothing like getting called out by your kid at the crack of dawn.

Maeve woke up extra early yesterday and climbed right into bed with me during my Herkle-Dirkle time (coffee + back in bed + Bible + Jesus + devotional reading… highly recommend).

I invited her to read with me, and the book of the week was the one I keep returning to: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer.

When Hurry Sickness Hits Home

We landed on the chapter about hurry sickness, and I read this out loud:

“Workaholism (or just nonstop activity). You just don’t know when to stop. Or worse, you can’t stop. Another hour, another day, another week. Your drugs of choice are accomplishment and accumulation. These could show up as careerism or just obsessive housecleaning and errand running.” pg. 49

I’ve read that line before, but let me tell you… being called out by your kid hits different.

Ouch.

And that part about “drug of choice: accomplishment”?

Yeah. Guilty.

The Prayer for Peace I Didn’t Expect

I’ve been praying this week for God to show me what He needs me to see as we focus on peace. And if you missed it, I’ve decided to step down from my job in 2026.

For someone wired like me, that sounds like the least peaceful thing in the world. I’ve already had the thoughts:

• What if I get bored?

• What if I run out of drawers to organize?

• What am I going to do with all that space?

  
  

Yet every time, God is basically shouting, Be still, girl. Just be. And let ME.

The Surprising Gift of Actual Peace

And here’s the wildest part: I’m actually at peace about stepping down. Truly. Zero anxiety. What a gift.

I can see now that this peace is what He’s been trying to hand me for a long time. Peace in knowing I give it my all with the gifts He’s given me. Peace in taking a step and letting go. Peace in passing the torch in humility so the work can keep growing. Peace in not forcing myself to earn worth through accomplishment.

I’m realizing I’ve made success an idol. And that offers a fake kind of peace — the kind that keeps you from sitting at His feet.

Trading Achievement for Stillness

So here I am, trying to trade the high of accomplishment for the quiet of actual peace. Learning to sit. Learning to be. And learning that sometimes the most obedient thing you can do is to take a pause long enough to listen.

That is true accomplishment.