The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire.
And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
1 Kings 19:11-12
It starts again tomorrow.
The Normal.
The schooling, the carpooling, the practices, the dance classes, the speech therapy, the schedule, the chores, the routines.
The Normal.
And while I've loved the holiday celebrations and travel and break from the everyday, it's this moment I'm finding profound.
The stillness, the quiet, the breath between the completion of the holiday season and the beginning of the new year's responsibilities. The pause held in the moment after the party and before the predictable.
And I suppose it's because it's in the stillness that I hear You best. I see You honored throughout Christmas and I seek Your strength throughout the rigors of my regular routines. But it's in these few hours, when the tree is down and the gifts are put away, when the schooling has not yet started and the dance classes have yet to begin, that I can slow down a moment and hear the faint whisper of Your voice.
It is a blessed breathing space.
Quietness. Stillness.
Listening.
Why do I have such trouble sitting still, squirming in the pew of life, hearing the words but all the while thinking of the next project, the next assignment, the next appointment? And yet, when I settle myself, when I focus in and slow down, how sweet is Your voice.
And for now, it's not even necessarily what I hear as much as it is just sensing You there. I believe You are all around, I know You count the hairs of my head. But it is when I get still that I can breathe that knowledge in.
A prayerful pause. A contemplative comma.
A saturated stillness.
The very fullness of You.
Selah.
We still have another month before normal. Another month of quiet reflection...
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that we have such trouble with that stillness? I suppose it's the pace of life, bringing all that noise in when we try to just be. Thank you for reminding me how much I need that quiet to hear that sweet voice. My busy mind has been ignoring that need.
ReplyDeleteSo, finally, I got here.... I have to apologyse for the time it took me, and I really feel akward, because you with al the busy life, still find time for us .... :)
ReplyDeleteIt is so beautiful to read your words, and if I had fell in love with your SBs and the family, if I had found the hope sometime lost in them, your graphics so beautiful, then in your words not only I find all the beautty and admiration, but also see how alike in some things we are....
One thing though: it has been difficult for me to see, this year here in this crazy city of London, the spirit of Christmas.
It pained me to no end that people have converted this celebration in something commercial.
But again, is people like you that keep my faith alive. :)
Lots, lots and LOTS of love,
and all my best wishes.
Cynthia
Finding the stillness is what I'm aiming for this year! Thanks for putting your thoughts into words for all of us to hear!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Roban
I have been feeling the exact same way. Thank you for putting it into words for me. I am going to try really hard to find the stillness everyday this year. Probably a lofty goal, but a goal none the less!
ReplyDeleteStillness is an issue for me, I always feel like I have missed or am missing something!! Hopefully 2009 will bring some resolution to that.
ReplyDeleteI'm very guilty of thinking about the next item on my to do list when I should be enjoying the stillness and sweetness of a moment. I think that's why I picked "Everyday Occasions" for my blog title. I wanted to remind myself of the joy that can be found in the everyday moments of life.
ReplyDeleteI do so enjoy your Sunday Selah posts, Ms. O!
One of my favorite scripture mantras is: Be still and know that I am God.
ReplyDeleteGreat Post!
Lovely. Now I can get back to my normal too... But I'm proud to say that the holiday season in December got me and my family back to church... it's something that will continue in the New Year, because it's so important! Yay! Looking forward to getting catched up with your blog. It's been crazy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder to just slow down and listen to His still, small voice! Blessings! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is so easy to be distracted by the 'to do list.'
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder to be still in God's presence, to pay attention to Him and love Him now.
Thank you for posting this. It's very true of how I was feeling this Sunday as my family was getting ready to start the race of life again. We did certainly have time for some peace, quiet & reflection. It's nice to have, and even nicer to know that you're not the only one who sees it when it's there. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteChristine