472: Growing Slow
With Jennifer Dukes Lee
Join Kathi and her friend Jennifer Dukes Lee as they unpack the concept of growing slow. Do you ever feel the desire to un-hurry the pace of your life and your heart? Jennifer finally started asking a different question and learned to do just that by applying a few simple yet meaningful things to everyday life. Listen in to find out how you can grow slow and incorporate these simple things into your life:
- Setting the tone for your day
- Enjoying nature
- Growing and caring for things
We Long to Make a Break from the Fast Pace of Life …
But if we’re honest, we’re afraid of what we’ll miss if we do. Yet when going big and hustling hard leaves us stressed, empty, and out of sorts, perhaps this can be our cue to step into a far more satisfying, sustainable pace. In this crafted, inspiring read, beloved author Jennifer Dukes Lee offers a path to unhurried living by returning to the rhythm of the land and learning the ancient art of Growing Slow. Jennifer was once at breaking point herself, and tells her story of rude awakening to the ways her chosen lifestyle of running hard, scaling fast, and the neverending chase for results was taking a toll on her body, heart, and soul. But when she finally gave herself permission to believe it takes time to grow good things, she found a new kind of freedom. With eloquent truths and vivid storytelling, Jennifer reflects on the lessons she learned from living on her fifth-generation family farm and the insights she gathered from the purposeful yet never rushed life of Christ. Growing Slow charts a path out of the pressures of bigger, harder, faster, and into a more rooted way of living where the growth of good things is deep and lasting.
Following the rhythms of the natural growing season, Growing Slow will help you:
- Find the true relief that comes when you stop running and start resting in Jesus
- Learn practices for unhurrying your heart and mind every day
- Let go of the pressure and embrace the small, good things already bearing fruit in your life
- And engage slow growth through reflection prompts and simple application steps
Links Mentioned:
Giveaway: For a chance to win a copy of Growing Slow by Jennifer Dukes Lee, answer one of these questions in the comments below:
What is something you have done in the last year to un-hurry your heart? What is something your heart longs for?
Meet Our Guest
Jennifer Dukes Lee
Jennifer Dukes Lee lives on the fifth-generation Lee family farm in Iowa, where she and her husband are raising crops, pigs, and two beautiful humans. She writes books, loves queso, and enjoys singing too loudly to songs with great harmony. Once upon a time, she didn’t believe in Jesus; now he’s her CEO. Find Jennifer at JenniferDukesLee.com and on Instagram at @JenniferDukesLee.
Transcript
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I realize that my clutter guilt was judging me to’Do&Do” & not let myself of the hook physically,emotionally
& spiritually. I rewarded myself by gifting myself with quiet time.
But now I realize that beginning my day in quiet rest, laying in the bed & greeting God, my Father. Taking in the gift of another day. Giving my loose
plans over to God & entrusting my day to Him & soak in His love. In doing thesemorning moments,
I start at a different place in my heart, mind & spirit. I’m refreshed & feel like I’ve got a skip to my step.
I switched homeschooling methods for my kids. It costs more, but now I have the freedom to slow down without the extra pressure I felt before.
1 year ago after a massive stroke and intensive rehab, I started painting. Painting allowed me to find joy and accomplishment in one area of my life. What I long for is contentment in this new path of life, I want to want this life and embrace all I still have, I want joy. I’m only 40 with 4 kids and a husband. I hope to read this book and find ways to shift my perspective and choose joy each day in the little things.
At age 58, I started college for the first time in January. I like art and writing, and I didn’t realize until taking Drawing 1 what bringing drawing back into my life would do! Drawing made time stand still! It showed me gifts I didn’t realize I had. I learned that the best component in making a good drawing is spending lots of time with it. It truly slowed me down and drew me closer to God. I’m anxious to see where it leads me in a few weeks when Drawing 2 begins! Thanks for your show today!
I have learned that having a big platform doesn’t necessarily mean having impact. Releasing that expectation has reinforced the fact that being faithful in a quiet life is pleasing to God. He is the One who works. So on a daily impact, I am able to slow down a bit more and release expectations. What I hope to incorporate more into my daily life is reading.
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I have given myself permission to say no when that is the healthy answer.
I’m trying to be more present with my kids. I long for slower days.
I’ve been trying to connect more with my senses. Whether it’s diffusing an essential oil, listening to calming music, or opening blinds to let natural light shine in, I’ve found it very helpful. Life still feels crazy, but this little act has helped me to unhurry my heart.
I have cut back my work schedule and really worked at being still and quiet (for at least a short time every day) to focus on my people over productivity. More phone calls to connect with distant friends or a visit with local friends. There’s a constant inner pressure to “get things done” and I’d like to be able to really rest on the inside.
I bought a copy of this book for my sister last week and would love to have one myself!
I have put more effort into keeping the Sabbath and not work on that day. One day a week without work is such a blessing. I am longing to finish my book and get it published.
Loved this podcast. Over the last year yoga and listening to relaxing music (many with nature sounds in them) has helped me unhurry my heart