QUIET
Quiet – making little or no noise. Carried out discreetly, secretly, or with moderation.
I am almost embarrassed regarding the time that has elapsed since my last post. Yes you might say I have been quiet. Unfortunately I had some personal detours that took me off course for way too long. You might say I took my own advice in Takin Time Out but what I have realized during that time I gave up a part of me to focus on others which was ok but I have had a tugging or nagging in my soul to get back to writing so here we go!
I have struggled to come up with a word to describe my sabbatical from writing and the one word that came to mind was Quiet. I have made no noise in writing or posting my weekly blog. This was the one thing that gave me joy and put my random thoughts into words and into print. What I have learned is it is ok to be quiet, to take a break and there is no limit on how long but once the nagging of your soul and yearning ignites you must Begin Again.
As I sit in my new favorite chair on this cool crisp January morning before the dawning of a new day, sipping on my hot lemon water and earl grey tea it is deathly quiet. I can only hear the brisk light breeze rustling through the broken seal of the window. I absolutely love this time of day…just me and my Lord! Takin Time out reflecting on the past chaotic months we have encountered at work, we call it tax season but for benefits consultants. The unfortunate thing is we can’t file an extension. We have deadlines looming and people depending on us to get it done. I am so thankful for my job and career but this time of year with three major holidays it seems so unfair, I could sit and have a pity party but what good would that do? I realize the busier I am the more I need to carve out the quiet time…takin time out to reset my mind, my heart, my soul and to strategically plan and focus on the tasks at hand. Thank you Lord for the ability to do that.
How about you are you are you taking the necessary time to sit and be still? No matter whether you are an introvert or an extrovert you still need a quiet moment to just breathe, to get centered and just BE! I am not sure how you feel but the older I get the more distractions I find in my every day life. Most folks blame this on social media, technology and I have to agree. I look at my grandchildren and all that is on their plate between school, extracurricular activities, social gatherings but I am not sure they have time to be creative to let their imagination dream and run wild. Lord knows they would not know what to do if they just had to sit in silence. We have TV’s, IPods, IPhones/Androids, games and so many things to keep our minds engaged.
Growing up on the ranch there were times we were without electricity especially during the winter storms thank goodness we had a gas furnace and a fireplace to keep us warm. At night is when I would notice it being even more quiet we would light a carosine lantern and candles. Watching the flicker of the flame was captivating! It seemed so much simpler and I am sure the weight of the world might have been on my parents shoulder. Especially my Dad’s during calving season but as a child I had no worries no concerns I just lived each day in fullness. Oh how I yearn for that day to return.
The Bible is very clear there is “A time to keep silent, and a time to speak” – Ecclesiates 3:7. Being quiet can be a struggle, but it can also be a good virtue to have. The Bible commends those who are able to keep the peace and listen, however, discourages being quiet due to timidness. Through God’s words we can be empowered to speak out for it can lead to great things. Takin Time Out to reflect in his word and be still and listen can be so powerful.
As we have finished another Christmas holiday and rang in a New Year I hope you find some time to be quiet, to sit still and reflect on this past year and actually this past decade. Maybe write yourself a letter of all the things that happened, the good the bad and the ugly, then store it away until next year. I always reflect those thoughts on the first pages of my new yearly journal. I find it interesting to go back and reread the events and reflect on the highs and the lows and similar patterns. Some years are more eventful than others.
As you are Takin Time Out this week may you be aware of your own version of quietness lingering in your heart today, may you trust his vision of your future not because you know exactly where you’re going, but because you trust in the one who goes with you. Please realize the quieter you become the more you can hear! Until next time…embrace the quietness!