I used to be the “push through it” type. The kind of traveler who’d glance at the clock, calculate my ETA, and decide that unless my bladder or gas tank absolutely demanded it, I was powering through.
Efficiency was king. Breaks felt like a waste of time.
But somewhere along the way, on both the literal and spiritual road, I learned that stopping doesn’t slow us down the way we think it does. Sometimes, it’s actually the thing that gets us where we’re meant to go.
1. Your Body Needs It (and So Does Your Brain)
Even the most reliable vehicle needs rest, and so do you. Sitting for hours on end without moving can lead to stiff muscles, reduced circulation, and fatigue. Just 10 minutes out of the car can reawaken your senses, physically and mentally.
✨ Travel Tip: Use rest stops as micro-adventures. Stretch your legs while snapping a photo of something odd, quirky, or unexpectedly beautiful. Look for scenic, unique, hidden gem, etc./ pull-offs on Google Maps before your trip, and tag them on your route to give yourself small things to look forward to.
2. You’ll Experience More Than a Destination
The world is not just a line between point A and point B. It’s made up of all the little in-betweens:
- The quiet antique shop off Exit 212
- The roadside diner that serves the best blueberry pie
- The overlook that made you gasp at God’s handiwork
When we only focus on “getting there,” we miss what was meant to move us along the way.
Sometimes, the best stories and the deepest lessons come from what we never planned to see.
✨ Travel Tip: Build in 15–30 minutes of “intentional detour time” per drive segment. You’ll feel less rushed and have margin to explore when something catches your eye.
3. Stopping Doesn’t Mean You’re Weak
Whether on the road or in life, there’s often a toxic voice that tells us:
“If you stop, you’re falling behind.”
But the truth is, going non-stop will leave you burnt out, numb, or worse, detoured in ways that were never meant for you.
There’s courage in pausing. There’s discernment in reassessing the route. And there’s growth in giving yourself permission to rest without guilt.
✨ Travel Tip: If you’re solo, stopping might feel vulnerable. Choose well-lit public stops, and let someone know your ETA. (Bonus: stopping safely can help you avoid drowsy driving, which is just as dangerous as distracted driving.)
4. Stops Create Space for God to Speak
When you’re driving with the music blaring, the GPS barking directions, and your thoughts racing, it’s hard to hear anything else.
But when you pull over, literally or metaphorically, you make space. You create margin. And God often whispers in the margins.
“Be still and know that I am God.”
— Psalm 46:10
Whether it’s pulling over at a rest stop or taking a longer scenic route, these moments often become sacred. They’re when your heart settles and you realize what’s really been stirring beneath the surface.
5. The Journey Is the Trip
It’s not just about the vacation spot, the finish line, or even the checkmark. It’s about the becoming that happens as you go.
When you let yourself stop, you remember that life isn’t something to race through, it’s something to live.
Final Thought: Stop to See. Pause to Breathe. Pull Over to Listen.
I’m learning that if we’re always rushing, we end up missing not only the beauty, but the blessing in the journey.
Next time you feel the urge to power through, consider pulling over. Stretch. Breathe. Look around.
And maybe, just maybe, ask God what He wants you to notice along the way.
Because the stops?
They might just be the point.
🧭 Wonder With Me…
What’s a stop or detour that surprised you in the best way?
Do you tend to push through, or are you learning to pause too?
Share your stories, and let’s keep wandering with intention.
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Let’s wander well—and bring others along for the ride.
✧ Wander Well & Stay Rooted,
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