The Practice of AWE!

Holy Pause Community Update! Fifteen women gathered in my den on September 2nd for the first Holy Pause Community. We gathered for one purpose: to grow deeper in our relationship with Christ and each other. I love creating spaces for community and connection, and I felt it that night. We learned that pausing to reflect in our spiritual journey can be very transformational. We learned that there are things in our lives that keep us from becoming who God created us to be. I am excited for our journey together over the next six months as I try something new at Holy Pause, and as we experience the freedom to learn and grow together. It's a beautiful community God brought together!

Are you interested in joining the online Holy Pause community? I am launching an online community in 2026 for those who don't live in the area! If you are interested, feel free to fill out the interest form, and I will be in touch.

https://www.holypause.com/community

Happy (Almost) October! I will be on a retreat for the next few days and wanted to be sure you had this by October 1st. I don't know about you, but I LOVE Fall! I love watching the leaves change and the beauty all around as we enter into the change of seasons. Fall means cozy blankets, big bowls of chili, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin bread, pumpkin patches, pumpkin everything!

Fall feels like an invitation to slow down.

It is hard to slow down. I get it! I have a hard time with it, too. I am learning that slowing down creates space. Space to pause, breathe, and listen.

"Fenelon, the Archbishop of Cambrai, France, in the seventeenth century, said in his little book, Let Go,

"Be quiet and He will soon be heard."

Quiet is a rare gift in this world. We are uncomfortable in the quiet. That is the place we can't hide. The world has become so loud. There are so many 'inputs' that we rarely pause to be quiet and listen to God. When it is quiet, we actually hear things more clearly.

"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him."

Psalm 62:5 ESV

I think we often forget the gift of silence.

Take a few minutes to reflect on this question: What are your 'inputs' in your life?

Currently, the 'inputs' in my life are books, podcasts, conversations, songs, endless scrolling and reading, iPhone, researching, googling, and TV. I am not saying those things are good or bad. But what I am noticing is that I can constantly have something putting information in my mind.

We’re always taking in so much information that we rarely make time to slow down and process, reflect, or marinate on our thoughts before moving on to the next bit of information.

I love photographing random little things. I love to take a close-up picture of a cricket or butterfly or flower. I am in awe of God's creation most days! Creation is like a big playground to me. So much to notice and ponder and enjoy! These are a few of my random AWE moments lately.

I have noticed something in my own life lately... the practice of living in awe is helping me with anxious thoughts, remembering to see beauty, growing my relationship with Christ, and giving me more peace, joy, and exploration! We have a Creator and Savior who leaves me in AWE every single day because of the Gospel! I want to notice those things that draw me to AWE every day. I don't want to miss them! AWE leads us to worship and praise Him and express gratitude.

Jesus invited us into AWE as He died and rose again, and in response, He invites us to repent and come be a part of His kingdom and follow Him! That is the AWE of salvation!

What if every day, we slowed down, paused, and noticed a moment in our day that drew us to the AWE of GOD?

I believe that each day is a gift to be opened, with treasures to be found. Even on our hardest days, our messiest days, the days we do what we don't want to do… those days when you feel like you aren't enough or the unknown leaves you anxious… yes, even on those days, there are treasures to be found. And sometimes, our greatest AWE moments are found in that place if we are "Quiet enough to let Him speak" and slow down to notice.

What if our daily treasures are the AWE moments with God? I wonder if this would bring Him joy and delight as we express our AWE to Him! I wonder if this is a way we can bring more of the kingdom of God to this hurting world and bring Him Glory?

What in your life invites you to the AWE of GOD? Creation, people in your life, relationships, circumstances, scripture, Jesus, Resurrection, Eternal Life, and so much more.

"Awesome is God from his sanctuary;

    the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.

Blessed be God!" Psalm 68:35 ESV

"When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place,

they were filled with awe and said,

“Truly this was the Son of God!”  

Matthew 27:54 ESV

I long to be filled with AWE because that leads to worship and praise and a heart of gratitude!

I wonder how our relationship with Christ might grow deeper and transform us when we slow down, pause, and experience the AWE OF GOD. I think it is worth paying attention to.

I read this book a few years ago on the AWE of GOD! Great read!

I want to invite you to join me in a spiritual practice for October. The Practice of Living in AWE! It has two more components that I will share later. Here is our Holy Pause Practice for the month. You can print this off and use it as you spend time with God reflecting and growing. We practice Pausing, Praying, and Following. May this bless you as you journey with Christ. You can also do it with a friend or group.

Holy Pause… Pause to notice what is going on in and around you. Jesus is with you.

Pause. Breathe. Take a few minutes to be in creation as you read these verses. Sit on your porch or park bench or cozy outside chair. Light a candle. Notice that represents God's presence.

Take a few minutes to journal. I encourage you to journal a sentence or two, or more if you consistently journal; maybe you want to buy a journal specifically for The Practice of Living in AWE of GOD. Let's start with this question: "What leaves you in AWE?" Spend time writing about those things that leave you in AWE. Maybe you want to take pictures this week of things you notice. This creates space for you to pay attention to those things that draw you closer to Jesus — and those are different for all of us.

"I am in awe of my zinnia garden this summer and the beautiful butterflies God brought each day for me to enjoy and thank Him for such beauty! The process of butterflies becoming butterflies has always intrigued me, and I feel it is a lot like our spiritual journey with God of growing and becoming something beautiful for His kingdom."

Next, spend the next thirty days writing down the one thing that drew you to the AWE of GOD for that day? 

I am using this little journal to Practice Living in AWE!!

Read these verses a few times. Slowly. Highlighting or circling what stands out to you?

"O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God;

    sing praises to the Lord, Selah

to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;

    behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.

Ascribe power to God,

    whose majesty is over Israel,

    and whose power is in the skies.

Awesome is God from his sanctuary;

    the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.

Blessed be God!"

Psalm 68: 32-35 ESV

Sit with what you circled or highlighted. Let is speak to you. These are the living words of God!

Pray… Invite the Lord into a conversation.

We can use scripture to pray. Spend five minutes in silence as you gaze at creation. Remember the Artist, Creator behind every thing you see. Remember, Jesus is with you. He dwells in you. The Holy Spirit is our comforter and guide.

Spend time listening. This is prayer with God as you make space for God's presence and His voice. Pray this scripture slowly, allowing the Spirit to guide you in what He is inviting you to notice and be in AWE!

Follow… Help me go where you go.

Do you sense an invitation from God? Spend time here, listening and reflecting on your invitation.

What if you joined us in the spiritual practice of living in AWE of God for the month of October? Maybe you decide to do it three days a week or four. Be sure to notice what is happening in you as you are drawn to AWE! More joy, less anxiety, more nearness to God, more gratitude?!

I encourage you to join us!

Finding beauty in the small things, 

Tracie Tackett

Spiritual Companion/Life Coach

Invitations to a holy pause~https://www.holypause.com/