Week 17: Released, Rested, and Renewed
Golfing at TopGolf.
Lord,
This week was the opposite of heavy.
This week, I let go — again.
And this time, it was in the form of my job.
I quit.
Yeah, that's right — I quit.
But before we get to that moment — let’s begin with
Monday
Day 5 of my days off of work.
We made plans to go to the movies— my mom, brother and I. (My sister and her kids saw Minecraft while we saw Sinners.) Before I even watched Sinners, I prayed. I prayed Sunday night and again Monday morning. I asked God, “If this isn’t something you want me to see, block it. But if you want me to watch it, help me leave with your messages, not the world’s.”
We watched the movie.
And it wasn’t as vulgar as I feared — but still, there were some things I didn’t like, especially the use of a talisman to “protect” the main character. That’s not of God. No voodoo, no hoodoo — my protection is from the Lord alone. Period. But what I took from the movie was this: You can’t invite everything into your home.
Your literal home. And your body, your soul — your temple. What you listen to, what you consume, what you watch, who you hang around — it all matters. And when you open the door to the wrong things, the enemy consumes you. Even spiritual gifts like writing, music, etc—they cannot become idols over You.
That’s the message God showed me.
Tuesday
The return to work after a long, peaceful weekend. And Lord, I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want to step back into that heavy environment. I prayed for strength. I played my worship music on the way there — Forest Frank, Maverick City Music, Israel & New Breed.
You lifted me enough to show up. But the cracks showed quickly. Work chaos. Confusion. Threatening messages about cleaning protocols — while we were trying to care for our clients. Pressure that wasn’t about service or love — but about control.
And I knew.
The peace You gave me over the weekend wasn’t random. It was a glimpse of what You were calling me into. I finished my day. I gave my best. And then I resigned. I chose obedience over fear. I chose peace over performance. I choose You over staying somewhere you were calling me out of.
Wednesday
Waking up felt different.
No regret.
No fear.
Just peace.
Pure, undeniable peace.
The confirmation that I made the right decision. I started job searching. I talked with friends who understood. We decompressed. We acknowledged what had happened—not from a place of regret, but from a place of gratitude that it was over.
Thursday
I had another job interview with a place I had already connected with before.
It felt easy.
It felt light.
It felt like God was still moving.
Not rushing, not forcing—but unfolding.
Friday-Sunday
A girl’s trip with family for my mom’s birthday. We stayed at a beautiful HGTV-inspired Airbnb. We watched movies (including Sinners again — and this time, caught even more spiritual layers). We ate pizza, cupcakes, leftovers, Texas Roadhouse.
We laughed.
We rested.
Saturday, we went to Shelby Farm Park. We threw axes (yes, Lord, literal axes!).
We did an outdoor escape room.
We walked. We breathed.
Sunday, we celebrated my mom’s birthday at Topgolf—pure fun, pure joy.
And through it all, I felt it:
HGTV-Inspired Airbnb in Memphis
That long weekend last week had spoiled me with peace and freedom.
You were preparing me.
You let me breathe.
You let me taste freedom in small, needed doses.
You let me feel what it would be like to no longer live under unnecessary weight.
And Lord, the peace I felt during that break away from work — before and after — it only confirmed that You were leading me.
That You had been leading me all along.
Even in the in-between.
Even in the decision to walk away without knowing exactly what’s next.
Thank You for reminding me that release isn’t failure.
Release is faith.
And now, sitting here at the end of this week, I realize:
You didn’t just call me to quit.
You called me to live light.
This week, I didn’t just let go—I became lighter.
And let me just say this — for anyone reading:
God fights for us. But He also frees us.
Just because someone signs your paycheck doesn’t mean they own you. A job is a job — not a license to control every part of your being. You are not a machine. You are not their property. You are a person.
God never called me to be perfect — but He did call me to show up and give my best. Scripture says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23). And I did that. I gave excellence. I showed up. I poured into the clients.
But excellence is not the same as overextension.
You don’t get to stretch me to meet impossible expectations — especially ones not listed in my offer letter.
You don’t get to pile on duties, call it “teamwork,” and weaponize write-ups.
I’m not giving my life to a job.
I give my life to Christ.
And when a job starts demanding more from me than God does —
That’s my sign to go.
I didn’t leave with anger.
I left with peace.
I even told them in my resignation letter: “I’ll be praying for you all .”
and I did.
What I’m Learning:
Release is not quitting on life — it's trusting the Giver of life.
Spiritual discernment is needed in every room I walk into — even movies.
Peace is proof of His path.
Every release makes space for renewal.
Don’t allow a work environment, management, individuals
What Faith Is Showing Me:
When God calls you out, He already has a place prepared.
I am lighter because He’s carrying what I don’t need anymore.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
— Hebrews 12:1
What I’m Working On:
Trusting the slow unfolding of God's plan.
Refusing to let fear force me into staying places God is calling me from.
Building a rhythm of joy, rest, work, and worship.
What I’m Listening To / Consuming:
indie tribe, nobigdyl. & Torey D’Shaun - Rob Hell
Brandon Lake & Jelly Roll - Hard Fought Hallelujah
Hulvey & Forrest Frank - Altar
Lecrae & Miles Minnick - One Time
Jon Keith - Eyes On Us
Torey D’Shaun - OOWEE
What I’m Building:
A simple life anchored in God, not busyness.
A new chapter where work aligns with calling, not pressure.
Room for family, faith, rest, and readiness.
What’s Coming Up:
More job interviews and discernment.
More daily surrender.
More freedom steps — slow and steady.