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The Chosen Shade Book

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The Chosen Shade Book Cover

Welcome to the Shade.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
– Luke 10:38-42 –

This journal is designed to be a quiet place to pause. In the pages ahead, we will journey together from the overwhelming noise of our daily routines to the profound peace found only at the feet of Jesus. Each short chapter is paired with reflection questions and space for your own thoughts, inviting you to actively surrender your burdens as you read. Take your time, breathe deeply, and allow Him to meet you in the stillness.

Published: ‎ February 26, 2026

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Are you tired of waiting for the checklist to end before you finally sit with Jesus?

The dishes are piling up, the schedule is full, and the demands of the day never seem to stop. Like Martha, we often find ourselves caught in a rushing storm, believing our constant motion is what holds our lives together. But what if the peace you are desperately searching for isn’t waiting at the bottom of your to-do list?

The Chosen Shade is a reflective journal and devotional companion designed to help you trade your panic for unending peace. Rooted in the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10, this book invites you to step out of the exhaustion of your own striving and into the quiet rest of His presence.

Inside, you will find:

  • Thoughtful Reflections: Deeply relatable chapters on dismantling your excuses, dropping your heavy basket of worries, and choosing the “better part.”
  • Guided Journaling Space: Intentional prompts and reflection questions to help you process your own distractions and surrender your daily burdens to the Lord.
  • A Call to Seek Him First: A powerful concluding journey through Scripture that will ignite a wholehearted desire to seek His presence before you tackle the chores.

You don’t have to carry the weight anymore. It’s time to drop the endless checklist, silence the noise, and claim your chosen shade at the feet of the Savior.

Listen to Companion Song Here:

Bonus Chapter below at the back of “The Chosen Shade” book…

Bonus Chapter: The Reward of the Search

When we first begin to leave our distractions behind, choosing to sit quietly with the Lord can feel like a rigorous discipline. Our minds wander, and the pull of the unfinished chores tugs at our attention. But as we continue to choose the “better part”—opening the Word, bowing in prayer, and meditating on His goodness—a profound shift takes place within us. The discipline turns into a desperate, beautiful desire. We begin to resonate deeply with the cry of Psalm 63:1 “O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.” We finally realize that the endless busyness of life is a desert, and only His presence can quench our thirst.

Stepping past a messy kitchen to sit in quiet prayer requires a deliberate act of trust. It means actively believing that the peace He offers is vastly more important than the temporary satisfaction of a clean house. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us, “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” The reward isn’t an empty promise; it is the tangible, overwhelming comfort of His Spirit filling the spaces where our anxiety used to live.

As we make this a daily rhythm, we discover a beautiful, reciprocal truth about the nature of God: He is already waiting to meet us halfway. We see this guarantee in 2 Chronicles 15:2 “…The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will let you find him…” He doesn’t hide Himself to make our pursuit difficult. The moment we quiet the noise and turn our hearts toward Him, He is right there, ready to be found in the stillness.

This is exactly when your entire perspective on the daily grind changes. There comes a day when the afternoon commute feels different. Instead of dreading the “second shift” of chores, laundry, and dishes waiting for you at home, a new anticipation builds. You find yourself wanting to rush through the front door, walk right past the sink, and immediately sit in His presence before doing anything else. You start giving Him the absolute first fruits of your evening, anchored by the promise of Jeremiah 29:13 “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

This fierce prioritization of Jesus over the checklist isn’t just about good spiritual habits; it is a romance of the soul. When we push aside the demands of the world just to be close to Him, it moves the heart of the Father. He cherishes those carved-out moments of devotion. As Proverbs 8:17 declares, “I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me.” Even on the days when the distractions roar loudly and you feel overwhelmed, your pursuit is protected by His grace. Psalm 9:10 assures us, “…O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.” You are never searching in the dark, and your efforts to prioritize Him are never wasted. Jesus Himself sealed this promise in Luke 11:9-10 “…Keep on seeking, and you will find… For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds.”

When spending time with Jesus becomes your greatest reward, the endless tasks lose their power to command your stress. The chores will still be there, and the dishes will eventually get washed, but they will no longer dictate your peace. You will have learned the greatest secret of a surrendered life: the ultimate joy isn’t found in an empty sink, but in a full heart, resting securely in the chosen shade at the feet of the Savior.

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