The choice for solitude and silence is never easy. Quiet and calm aren't easy to find.
Then to add to the hubbub of life there are noises in my heart; or, better said, from my heart. In my mind and in my soul is a cacophony of sound shouting for attention. Worries about this and about that. Concerns about him and about her. Plans for this... Fixing that... Wondering and hoping... I am calculating and re-living. I am analyzing and accusing. The noises are numerous--and loud.
Quiet and calm aren't easy to find. But, they are available.
Often I find calm and quiet in a good book. As a habit, I attempt to read regularly. I read mostly because I need to remember. I need to be called-back and to be reminded. I read because I have a need for deep dialogue. Sometimes I desperately need right thoughts to counter the clamor filling my mind and my heart. I don't read looking for new or profound things. I read to remember and "talk" about True things: old things and learned thing.
Often I find calm and quiet in a good book. As a habit, I attempt to read regularly. I read mostly because I need to remember. I need to be called-back and to be reminded. I read because I have a need for deep dialogue. Sometimes I desperately need right thoughts to counter the clamor filling my mind and my heart. I don't read looking for new or profound things. I read to remember and "talk" about True things: old things and learned thing.
Currently I am having a lovely "conversation" with Eugene Peterson in Eat this Book. And, last night in Richard Foster's Prayer, he kindly reminded me of the beautiful invitation I have from God to come to Him and rest.
Rest.
The prayer of rest, Foster calls it and I read his story. Foster reminds me of the words of my brother, Jesus: "Come to me all who are weary or heavy... and I will give you rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28).
My mind needs rest. My body needs rest. And, most certainly, my soul needs rest. Often.
So, I responded to Richard's reminder. I closed the book. And, I sat. I entered the Rest offered.
Be still.
Just be still, Stephanie.
Be still and know.
Know, right now, my love.
Be still and know that I am God.
And, in that moment the voices died down. The waters went still. The to-do list was released. The worries and the calculating were engulfed in a calm and a Presence that is my God!
Father, what a gift you give me in Yourself. Jesus what an offer! I choose You today. I open my hands and I open my heart and I say, "yes" to the rest You offer me today. Thank you. Would You remind me again and again to remain in this Love... to remain in rest... to remain in You!
Father, what a gift you give me in Yourself. Jesus what an offer! I choose You today. I open my hands and I open my heart and I say, "yes" to the rest You offer me today. Thank you. Would You remind me again and again to remain in this Love... to remain in rest... to remain in You!
