There are moments in business when the most powerful move is not action, but a pause.

Not a long retreat. Not disappearing. Just a moment to breathe, reflect, and choose a response instead of a reaction.

I was reminded of this over the holidays when one of my seller clients called me on Christmas Eve. The call was about marketing and next steps for her home. If I’m being honest, my first internal response was frustration. It was Christmas Eve. My mind was nowhere near contracts, listings, or strategy.

But before responding, I paused.

I let myself acknowledge how I was feeling instead of reacting from it. And in that pause, God gently shifted my perspective. This wasn’t a client trying to intrude on my holiday. This was a woman under pressure. A seller navigating a tough market. Someone who needed her home to sell for very real financial reasons. And in that moment, I was the person God had positioned to help carry that weight with her.

That pause changed everything.

Instead of responding sharply or defensively, I was able to choose my words carefully. I honored my boundaries while still meeting her with empathy. I didn’t rush. I didn’t dismiss her. I came to the conversation with patience, clarity, and grace. And even though I didn’t say a prayer out loud, I know the posture of my heart reflected the love and patience God shows me daily.

That’s the gift of the pause.

When we slow down, even briefly, we make room for compassion. We remember that people are often reaching out not to inconvenience us, but because they are carrying something heavy. Especially in business, where money, security, and future plans are involved, emotions are often running high even when they are not visible.

Scripture reminds us of this wisdom:

“Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”

James 1:19

Being slow to speak does not mean being weak. It means being intentional. It gives us space to listen, to discern, and to respond in a way that reflects Christ, even in ordinary business conversations.

As you move through the coming weeks, I want to encourage you to practice the holy pause. Before responding to a client email. Before returning a call. Before firing off a text. Take a breath. Ask God for perspective. Consider what the other person might be carrying that you cannot see.

You don’t have to abandon your boundaries to show compassion. You don’t have to be available at all times to be Christlike. But when you pause, you allow God to guide your response so that it is both wise and loving.

Sometimes the pause is the ministry.

Your Real Estate Bestie,