Catherine The Grateful - not permaculture farm, lessons from the field (BEL)

Finding REST in the Love Shack

You ever feel like your life is stuck on fast-forward? Like you’re living in a constant cycle of “go, go, go” with barely a second to breathe? You’re not alone. Our culture rewards hustle and glorifies busyness. But God has a different rhythm for our lives—one that makes room for both work and rest.

From the very beginning, God modeled a balanced rhythm: six days of work, one day of rest. In Leviticus 23:3, He commands the Israelites to observe this rhythm: “There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of rest, a sacred assembly.” This wasn’t just about following rules. It was an invitation into a lifestyle—one that honors both our purpose and our limits.

God could have created the world in an instant, but He chose to create over six days and then rest. Not because He needed it—but because we do. If God Himself chose to rest, what makes us think we can run nonstop?

Let’s be clear: work is not the enemy. In fact, work is holy. Adam and Eve were given tasks in the Garden even before sin entered the world. Work is part of our purpose—it’s how we create, build, and bless others. Whether you're managing a household, running a business, teaching, leading, or creating a permaculture garden, your work matters.

But when we let work define us—or consume us—it becomes an idol. The Sabbath challenges this. It says, “You are not what you do. You are not how much you produce. You are God’s beloved, even when you rest.

Today is Shabbat, it is our day off at Wheaton Labs.

The Sabbath isn’t just about physical rest—it’s a sacred assembly. That means it’s also about reconnection: with God, with community, and with ourselves. Perhaps The Love Shack can be your space with God. A sanctuary of peace, presence, and purpose.

Think about that: God literally scheduled rest into the rhythm of our lives. Not as a luxury. As a necessity. As worship. When we pause from work, we declare: God is in control—not me. God provides—not me. God holds the world together—not me.

The Love Shack isn’t just a metaphor—it’s that space where you and God meet. A space where love is not just felt but practiced. Where burdens are laid down, and joy is picked up. Where you are reminded: You are loved not for what you do, but for who you are.

So today, hear this invitation straight from the heart of God:
Step into the rhythm.
Make room for rest.
Come into the Love Shack, and just be.

Not because everything is done, but because He is enough.
Not because the world paused, but because you chose to.
Not as an escape—but as a return.
To Him. To love. To rest.

The Love Shack is open and available for you. Shabbat Shalom

Leviticus 23:3
3 “ ‘There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a sabbath to the LORD.

The dance of clothes

No hum of a dryer,
Just sky and breeze and something clean.
A ritual both old and true—
The dance of clothes, the sky’s soft blue.

Pins click tight with practiced grace,
Each sock and shirt in its own place.
Sunlight kisses cotton seams,
The dance of clothes with golden beams.

And when the clothespins come undone,
And fabric folds with setting sun,
The line stands bare, the task complete,
With peace found in a simple feat.
The dance of clothes is complete.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 Amplified - 11 and to make it your ambition to live quietly and peacefully, and to mind your own affairs and work with your hands, just as we directed you, 12 so that you will behave properly toward outsiders [exhibiting good character, personal integrity, and moral courage worthy of the respect of the outside world], and be dependent on no one and in need of nothing [be self-supporting].

Catherine Barnes wrote:The dance of clothes

That's beautiful Catherine! Your poetry?

Thanks for posting about what you are getting up to there. I think Paul has big ideas (!) but only one pair of hands. It's lovely to see some of the ideas taking shape.

Gracias
Merci
Danke
Grazie
Obrigado
Obrigada
谢谢
ありがとう
감사합니다

For the Apples 🍎🍎🍎
For the Pie
For the👍
For merging my account
For sharing it's a REPLY and not a new post
For suggesting photo captions

Today was a day of discovery. Enjoy the photos. 📷

Hello Cathrine!

Thank you for posting all these great pictures!

It looks like you are having a lot of fun out there.