[Excerpt] Rooted, Not Rushed by Cleere Cherry Reaves

‘Tis the season– where we often find ourselves scurrying around, sometimes on autopilot. It’s a wonderful time, a memorable time, and also, a busy time. In the middle of this busy season, we are excited to feature Cleere Cherry Reaves’s new 90-day devotional Rooted, Not Rushed (Thomas Nelson, November 10, 2026), which is all about how to become and do it with purpose.

“The greatest danger of a hurried life isn’t simply that we’ll miss moments, it’s that we’ll slowly become someone we never intended to be,” says Reaves (press). It’s easy to go hard down a path that may not be the fullest expression of our purpose. A way to combat living without intention is to pause and reflect. Rooted, Not Rushed is a guide for this sort of reflection.

We hope you will check out Rooted, Not Rushed. It makes a beautiful gift for the Christmas season and family get-togethers. If you would like to support our author friend, find the book here.

We thank Booked PR for the opportunity to share this excerpt of the devotional with you.

Once Things Calm Down

(Adapted from Rooted, Not Rushed)

Words by: Cleere Cherry Reaves

We keep saying, “Once things calm down, I’ll . . .” but before we know it, weeks or months slip by. The dream grows distant. The moments we meant to savor pass. And the tension in our souls? That’s mercy. It’s the Spirit gently interrupting our drift, reminding us that life with God was never meant to be postponed. A holy discomfort that whispers, Time is short, and waiting on perfection will keep you from what’s already in front of you.

“Time is short, and waiting on perfection will keep you from what’s already in front of you.”

Perfection convinces us that health must look polished, planned, and predictable, but real growth is far more rugged than that. It happens in mismatched moments, inside imperfect rhythms, and often while we’re still figuring things out. Waiting for everything to align usually means never beginning at all.

“Waiting for everything to align usually means never beginning at all.”

[Adapted from Rooted, Not Rushed by Cleere Cherry Reaves. Copyright Cleere Cherry Reaves (Nov 2026) by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, www.thomasnelson.com.]

Get your copy of Rooted, Not Rushed here.

For more Cleere Cherry Reaves:

Cleere Cherry Reaves is the owner and creator of Cleerely Stated, a successful business that began as a simple blog and has grown into a full product line, with inspirational items available online and in retail stores across the United States. Known for her relatable and practical writing style, Cleere’s mission is to help others see themselves and the world around them through the eyes of Jesus. She is also the host of the growing Let’s Be Cleere podcast, where she shares the raw, real love of Jesus to encourage and uplift her listeners.

Cleere lives in Greenville, North Carolina, with her husband, Will, and their son, Sledge. Born at just one pound and now living with special needs, Sledge’s journey has shaped their family’s pace and priorities—forming a life marked by greater presence, patience, and dependence on God. His life continues to testify to God’s nearness and faithfulness, and Cleere is deeply committed to helping others recognize that same steady presence of God in their own stories.
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