Unwrapping Rest

On the morning of her first book launch, Dawn should have been focused on unloading books and greeting guests. Instead, fear crept in.
What if no one comes?
What if I've misunderstood God's direction?
As she quietly prayed during the drive to the coffee shop, God answered—not with a booming voice, but with a beautifully personal reminder of His presence and faithfulness.
In this episode, Dawn reflects on Hagar's encounter with El Roi, the God who sees us, and shares how that ancient story unexpectedly came to life through two baristas, a forgotten business name, and a coffee shop on a rainy November morning.
If you've ever questioned whether God sees your fears, your calling, or the quiet work of obedience, this story is a gentle reminder that He is still the God who sees.
In this episode you'll discover:
Why Hagar's story in Genesis 16 still speaks to us today.
What the name El Roi teaches us about God's character.
How God often encourages us through ordinary moments.
Why we can trust His timing instead of striving to control the outcome.

It's one thing to place our dreams, plans, and work into God's hands.
It's another thing entirely to leave them there.
As Dawn prepared for the launch of her first book, she found herself praying for God to use her writing while simultaneously trying to manage every possible outcome. That's when an unexpected picture came to mind: she had already offered her loaves and fishes to Jesus—but she was still standing nearby looking up recipes for fish sandwiches.
In this episode, Dawn completes the R.E.S.T. framework by exploring the final step: Trust. Through the familiar story of the loaves and fishes, she reminds us that our responsibility is faithful obedience. The outcomes belong to God.
If you've ever struggled to surrender your work, your calling, or your future, this episode offers a gentle invitation to stop striving, trust the One who is more than able, and rest in His faithfulness.
In this episode you'll discover:
Why surrender is more than a one-time decision.
What it means to trust God with the outcomes.
How the R.E.S.T. framework leads us from striving to peace.
Why faithful obedience matters more than perfect results.

Every morning begins with the same routine: emptying the reservoir of a dehumidifier tucked away in the corner of Dawn's office. One ordinary chore becomes a powerful reminder of Psalm 62:8 and God's invitation to pour out our hearts before Him.
In this episode, Dawn reflects on how easily stress, anxiety, and striving can build up when we try to carry life's burdens on our own. Just as stagnant water must be emptied before it becomes a problem, our hearts need a safe place to release fear, frustration, and the pressure to hold everything together.
Continuing the R.E.S.T. journey, this episode explores the third step: Stop Striving & Surrender. God isn't intimidated by our messy emotions. He invites us to bring them honestly into His presence, where we discover that He is our refuge and our rest.
In this episode you'll discover:
What a dehumidifier can teach us about caring for our souls.
Why God invites us to pour out our hearts instead of carrying hidden burdens.
How surrender frees us from striving.
What it means to find true refuge in the presence of God.

Every January begins with fresh goals, hopeful plans, and the determination that this will finally be our best year yet.
But what happens when our resolutions fade and we're left feeling discouraged, overwhelmed, or disappointed in ourselves?
In this episode, Dawn continues the R.E.S.T. journey by exploring the second step: Evaluate by the Eternal. Instead of measuring success by our accomplishments or our ability to stick to a plan, God invites us to lift our eyes above today's pressures and see life from His perspective.
Through the wisdom of Ecclesiastes and the encouragement of Philippians 4, you'll discover that true peace isn't found in better planning or greater self-discipline. It's found in the presence of Jesus, who offers a rest that goes far deeper than simply slowing down.
In this episode you'll discover:
Why New Year's resolutions often leave us discouraged.
What it means to evaluate life from an eternal perspective.
How Philippians 4 offers a better response than anxiety.
Why God's peace is deeper than self-improvement.
How Jesus invites us into lasting rest instead of endless striving.

Christmas promises peace, joy, and celebration—but many of us experience the season as a blur of shopping, decorating, parties, and mile-long to-do lists.
If you're exhausted trying to create the perfect holiday, you're not alone.
In this episode, Dawn introduces the first step of the R.E.S.T. journey: Realize. We were never created to live in a constant state of rushing and striving. Instead, God made us for relationship with Himself, and Christmas reminds us that He came near through Jesus—Emmanuel, God with us.
Whether this season finds you overwhelmed, grieving, or simply worn out, discover the invitation to exchange anxiety for the lasting peace found in Christ.
In this episode you'll discover:
Why Christmas often leaves us feeling hurried instead of hopeful.
The first step in the R.E.S.T. framework: Realize.
What it means to be adopted into God's family through Jesus.
Why the greatest gift of Christmas is relationship with God.
How Jesus offers lasting rest instead of temporary holiday happiness.

Sometimes all it takes is one unexpected text message to derail our peace.
As Thanksgiving plans suddenly change, Dawn finds herself imagining crowded stores, empty shelves, and everything that could possibly go wrong. But what begins as a moment of anxiety becomes the first lesson in the Unwrapping Rest journey.
In this very first episode, Dawn introduces the foundation of the R.E.S.T. framework: learning to recognize when our thoughts begin to spiral and remembering that God remains in control—even when life doesn't go according to plan.
If you've ever allowed a small interruption to steal your peace, this episode offers a gentle reminder to slow down, trust God, and look for His unexpected blessings in the middle of changed circumstances.
In this episode you'll discover:
How quickly anxious thoughts can spiral.
Why unexpected interruptions don't surprise God.
The first step in the R.E.S.T. journey.
How God's unexpected blessings often appear in changed plans.