My Summer in Charleston
Hello Lovelies,
This summer, for the first time since my college days, I got the opportunity to have what I’ll call an “adult summer break.” Leading up to closing MissToo Made It: Greek Boutique, I had been telling my family, “I’m going to come home for a month and spend time with you all.” I didn’t think much of it—other than realizing I hadn’t spent more than about a week at home since college, years ago. What I didn’t know was that the Lord was setting me up for a season of rest and restoration after six years of grinding and building a business, with everything that came with it.
On July 13, I held a closing dinner for my staff and friends of MissToo Made It, to close that chapter out well and show my appreciation. The very next day, July 14, I was in Charleston for what I thought would be one month, but it ended up being two!
Month One: Rest & Restoration
In my blog Going 100,000 Miles Per Hour, I mentioned how, when I closed the store, I immediately tried to hit the ground running—but the Lord slowed me down. So when I got to Charleston, I told myself, “I’m not about to play with Him or myself this time.” I sat myself down and did… nothing.
My days were spent cooking for my family (unexpected, but a sweet blessing—preparing me for cooking for my own family one day. God is so intentional in all He does. Now hubby, wya 👀), walking Cooper, reading my Word, literally sitting at the Lord’s feet, and occasionally watching a good TV show. Every now and then, He would whisper a task to me, like “Create your brand guidebook for GISK.” And that—only that—is what I would do. But it wasn’t every day. Some days, the only assignment was rest.
I knew it was my season of rest and restoration, and I needed to be obedient to just that. I journaled every single day I was home—what happened that day, how I felt, what the Lord was saying. Most of the time, He had me in Ecclesiastes. And whew—if you’ve read it, you know. “Everything is meaningless, utterly meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). That book humbled me, opened my eyes, and corrected me.
During that first month, I didn’t hang out with friends much at all. It was intentional. One, because I truly needed to rest, and I knew the time would fly. And two, because I didn’t even have the desire. I was tired in every way.
More than anything, that month gave me space to reflect on the season I had just come out of—closing a business, living in radical obedience and not moving at the beat of my own drum, constantly grinding—to the season I was entering. One where I’d be moving at the Lord’s beat. Learning to consult Him in everything. Asking “Lord, is this okay?” before moving. Learning what it really looks like to do anything in Christ.
And although every season won’t be as slow as that Charleston summer, I now know how to rest. I know how to pause before burnout takes over.
A Break Between Seasons
After my first month in Charleston, I took a little over a week’s break—came back to Charlotte briefly, then flew to Mexico for a friend’s wedding. Mexico was an amazing trip! Charlotte wasn’t bad, but it felt quick and different already. I knew once I came back from month two of summer break, CLT wasn’t going to feel the same for me anymore. But at the same time, I also knew Charleston wouldn’t feel the same either. And I was right.
Month Two: A Shift in the Season
I returned to Charleston the day after Mexico, and immediately, the enemy tried to attack my peace. My mood was off, and everything irritated me. Once I pushed past that, it was time to start grad school. On August 18, I began my MBA program in Executive Coaching.
With school underway, I felt the Lord nudging me to begin building again—work on things He had already downloaded to me, like turning MissToo Made It into a blog or building my real estate photography site. But honestly? I didn’t have the desire. My heart was already wrestling with the thought of returning to CLT. I didn’t want to. I wanted to move.
During that time, He had me in 1 Kings 17. Elijah had to trust God for provision by the brook, and when it dried up, God sent him to Zarephath:
“Then the word of the Lord came to him: “Leave here, turn eastward, and hide at the Wadi Cherith where it enters the Jordan. You are to drink from the wadi. I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there.” (1 Kings 17:2–4).
Later: “Arise, go to Zarephath… I have commanded a widow there to provide for you” (1 Kings 17:9).
I swore it was my time to move, but the Lord quickly said, “No. Go back to CLT. I’m not done with you there yet. I still have some more cutting to do in you there. But trust that I will provide for you in that place.”
And He knows me well—He even sent a friend to confirm that word.
So besides that, I continued cooking, walking Cooper, adjusting to grad school, and (finally) starting to do my part instead of procrastinating. I wanted month one rest vibes again, but this time was different. It was time to put the practices of rest into everyday life.
Preparing to Return
As my Charleston summer drew to a close, I began reflecting on how I wanted things to be different when I got back to Charlotte. I knew it would be different—not just because the Lord had already been cutting some things away before I left, but because He was maturing me.
“Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2–4).
I prayed over my friendships—the few the Lord left me with in CLT. I considered what a real church home should look like for me, what I needed in it. I thought about how my schedule would change with grad school, business shifts, and new responsibilities. I even started small house projects while I was gone, to create a refreshed space to return to.
Closing Reflections
Now that I’ve been back in CLT for almost two weeks, I’ll share more next week, Lord willing, about how the transition has felt. But looking back, my adult summer was sobering, humbling, and restoring.
A few special moments: my parents celebrated 18 years of marriage, and my little brother turned 17. God knew exactly what I needed—even when I didn’t.
As Ecclesiastes says:
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
“Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind” (Ecclesiastes 4:6).
This summer was my time for rest. And now, I’m stepping into the next season with clearer eyes, a lighter heart, and more trust in the Lord’s leading.
With Love,
Jadesha M. Hair
