What 12 Hours Taught Me

Preparing the Way Through Regulation, Not Hustle

Have you ever prepared for something meaningful — and realized your body wasn’t prepared the way your heart was?

Recently, I spent 12 hours at the Wrestling State Tournament watching my boys compete at their FIRST individual state competition with their high school team. It was beautiful. Historic. Emotional. Loud. Long. And my body felt every minute of it.

Pain climbing. Severe nausea. Heart drop. Near passing out.

There was a time when I would have pushed through and pretended I was fine. This time, I did something different.

I stopped.

I closed my eyes.
Noise-cancelling headphones.
Worship in my ears.
Let my husband hold me.
Breathed — 4 in, hold, 6 out.

Peppermint when the nausea hit.
Peppermint again when my system needed help regulating temperature.
Prayer when I felt weak.

This is what regulation looks like for me right now.

Not pushing through.
Not proving anything.
Not pretending I’m fine.

Offloading.
Resetting.
Letting myself be held.

Healing has taught me this:

Strength isn’t always standing.
Sometimes it’s surrendering.

And I made it through the 12-hour day.

Preparing the way doesn't mean pushing harder or If I don’t power through, I’ll miss out.

Preparation is stewardship. Preparing the way sometimes means regulating your body before it crashes. Supporting your body before it shuts down. Choosing worship instead of white-knuckling it.

Joy Tip

Before your next big day — appointment, event, emotional moment — ask:

“What will help me stay steady?”

Prepare the way by caring for the body and heart you’re walking in today. Ask God to meet you there.

Scripture to Hold for Joy

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him. Psalm 62:5

Joy for the Journey

You don’t have to earn your strength by suffering silently.

Sometimes preparing the way means surrendering — and letting yourself be held.

Let’s Journey Together with Joy

If you’re learning to prepare a way for less hustle and more joy, I share faith-filled reflections and gentle practices to help you walk forward with freedom and joy.

Joy-Fueled Weekly Wellness Tip

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