Every other Friday we will be posting an article designed to develop the heart of a leader. The best strategy and tactics won’t do any good if they aren’t fused with a heart that has been shaped in the ways of Jesus. This is a post from Jo Saxton, reflecting on a sabbatical she and her family took awhile back.

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Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me.I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing (John 15:4-6 MSG).

The day had finally arrived. I was so ready that I woke up before the dawn as if to try to will the sun into a new day. We were moving, leaving our life in California in response to God’s call to the Twin Cities, Minnesota. But first we were going to have a mini sabbatical. We had 5 weeks and God had provided for us in His wonderful Faithful Father like ways. I was ready to enjoy it, to engage with it to embrace it. I would not resist Him. I had gathered a considered book list, ready to expand my intellectual capacity. And with iTunes at my side, I prepared to immerse myself in music that stirred my soul. I bought a few journals, because God had my attention and he WOULD speak to me. Deeply. Seriously, I knew this rhythm of life stuff. One season had ended and our lives had been pruned back. A new season will begin soon, but before that ABIDE, remain. Time to be with him and the key relationships He’s given you. And listen for the Word, His Word, that leads you into the future. Yep, I get it. Bring. It. On.

Well. My book list… it never happened. Not one of them. And my iTunes account looks like it’s been invaded by Radio Disney, thanks to two sweet girls who wanted a soundtrack for a road trip. I wrote a few things in my journals, but He wrote much more on my heart. Here are just a few things from that abiding time:

Read the rest of the post from Jo’s blog.