The quiet is a rare place to visit in the midst of the persistent clamor and distraction of today. Listen to the noise.
When I was a young and busy mom and homemaker, I was desperate for quiet. My prayer closet was the cornfield behind our home. But seasons change. Listen to the silence.
I remember reading of Susannah Wesley, the mother of Charles and John, and seventeen other children – an amazing lady of the late 1600s who knew the secret of meeting with the Father in sacred privacy even while raising nineteen children. She found no place to go inside her home to be alone with the Lord, so when she pulled her apron over her head, her children knew it was time to leave her be – within the inner sanctuary of her heart.
I remember standing outside the kitchen window hearing the sweet sounds that made up my life back then . . . and now I can hear the dust settle.
And so, I no longer need the cornfield or an apron to seek the hidden place of His presence. It’s not so long ago, my daily course was made up of endless appointments, hospitals, dialysis centers, physical therapy, intensive care units, and the only solitude I found was from one floor to the next in a hospital elevator. But, the sweet hush of His nearness in the middle of the extreme reminded me anywhere we stand is holy ground.
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
Eight words that hold the secret to peace and contentment, no matter what season we may be experiencing. Be still means to cease striving and know that God is God enough in this moment. And know intimately, know that you know, His I AM name . . . And we can know His name in the extreme and in the quiet.
A quiet place can be well within our reach – if we reach. I know we’re all in different places, but don’t you think that most of us desire to know more of God than we do? We just don’t know how to get to the place closer than bless me, give me, help me. The only way we can do it is to take a break from the world – there is no formula, it’s a want-to not a how-to.
But there is a key to the secret place . . . to seek, dwell, behold, meditate.
One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle, in the secret place of His tent He will hide me. Psalm 27:4, 5
Verna
Love this! God is enough, right here in this season. The beauty of moments.
Yes, Lori . . . the beauty of moments, in the dark, in the peace . . . always there, always present . . . love you!
Beautifully said, Verna. May you continue to be refreshed in Christ’s uplifting presence in the silent pauses. Write on.
In the silent pauses – love this, Carolyn . . . and miss you!
Still seeking…and God is always faithful to be found by me and hold me.
Always . . . always faithful, no matter where we are . . . thank you, Beth!
Your words hit their mark! I’ve been so focused on the “how to” that I missed the “want to” factor. I so desire to KNOW His I AM name as intimately as you describe it. Thanks for the encouragement .
I love this, thank you, Lucy . . . we need to encourage one another to seek and desire above all else.
What a wonderful reminder to be still and to stop the business of our lives to meditate and feel the presence of the Lord. Thank-you, Verna
I believe we need to do that often, especially when we’re in the chaos, Lynda . . . the stillness and Presence is right there! Hard for me to find the quiet at the moment, but I enjoy the nearness of God in the to-do of this moving season.
This is precious Verna. You have captured stillness in your sweet words. God bless.
Thank you, Liana. I love your writings and poetry, a special encouragement to me.
Wh wouldn’t want to go there after reading your thoughts. Love to listen in the quiet of the morning…just like John G sang about.
Lvu
Yes, he has a song “In the Quiet” right? Love his worship!
You are an inspiration to my soul. Love you!
Thank you for stopping by, – love you, Gina!
I have a sweet sanctuary to go to to read God’s word and to pray. My heart’s desire is to know him more. I’ve got to act more on the want to. Thank you, Verna.