I made the mistake of glancing at my summer calendar and noticed there was no time to hyperventilate. It looked like the next nine weeks were written in stone – on paper. I couldn’t get out of anything.
I thought summer was supposed to be lazy-hazy. It made me homesick for the simple life. What an archaic and charming word – simple.
And so, I thought for a moment of when we were slower – and I saw a far-off picture of my kids sitting in the shade of a tree reading a book, running in a field with their dog, and catching frogs down by the stream. I had to squint to see an even further-in-time picture of my hard-working dad in the hammock taking a nap under the dogwood tree. Imagine.
People found time to take time.
Life is loud. We reside on a breakneck-speeding planet that keeps changing on us. The mystery is in knowing how to stay still while it spins, and how to remain while it changes. Otherwise, we may suffer vertigo and become confused and disoriented.
We need stillness, the power of pause . . . the time to dwell in the unchanging Word of God. Somehow, it makes sense of it all.
I looked up the Webster-word linger and find it means to stay in a place or be slow in leaving it. It must mean to deliberately tarry long enough to discover the sacred in the ordinary. . . . it must.
We have no control over our lives being touched by a changing world, but we have a choice to slow down and change our lives.
Take a deep summer breath and visit the quiet sanctuary of your heart where the Presence of God resides. Think of it this way, if we take ten minutes out of each day for the next seven weeks to linger and listen – we can experience change in our life in just 630 minutes!
Pencil the art of lingering into your summer calendar (in ink).
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
Verna
Glenda Mills says
Ah yes, lingering in the quiet rest for awhile….resting up from another wave of company. Loved every minute being with family, but couldn’t wait to get back to the secret resting place where Jesus promises to meet with us. He’s never in a hurry and time with Him brings a rest the world can never give. May you find much time with the lover of your soul, dear friend!
Verna Bowman says
Lingering – a premium into today’s world, isn’t it? I look forward to the times I can come away and rest awhile with our Father – and He is always willing to linger with us – I hope you have this sweet time with Him as you go away for a few days, Glenda!
Margaret Reece says
Hi Verna, I’m not sure that you received my request to buy your book. I replied to you, after trying to buy it from your website. It said first of all when I tried to buy the Kindle version that the publisher had been informed. And gave me a price, but then it took me to another screen and it all became rather confusing. I live in the UK, so I don’t have access to amazon.com, only amazon.co.uk. Please can you tell me whether your publisher has been informed, if I have paid for the book via kindle and, if not, how I can purchase a copy. I so relate to your journey because I HAVE struggled with chronic anxiety for most of my life, and didn’t know that I could have a relationship with Him. Then in my sixties he found me, and bit by bit he has healed me and I realise now that He has been with me all the time protecting me. He has asked me to comfort others as I have been comforted and it is such an honour and privilege. I should be grateful if you could follow up on this and show me how to purchase your book;
Verna Bowman says
Thank you Margaret for letting me know – I’ll check into it right away. And thank you also for sharing your testimony of God’s healing goodness in your life. I have your email address now and will be certain to contact you and see that you get your copy! May the Lord continue to bless and comfort you!
Betsy Seiz says
Verna,
I live in a place where I can linger, not caught up in the rush, until family comes.
Come linger with me when the time is right, I would love that.
I so miss you.
Verna Bowman says
Oh, Bets – love this sweet friendship expression, come linger with me . . . I would love to. Sue said they had a great visit with the two of you – we hope to do that, also. Love you.
Tammie Buckwalter says
Hi Verna! I don’t often comment but I am always so thankful for your faithful reminders and words of encouragement. Miss you.
Verna Bowman says
Thanks Tammie – I’m sure you and the family are having a great time together. And, I so appreciate the encouragement, from you forever friend.