Quietness

I am sitting here in the quietness of my home...alone. My wife and companion of over 40 years is gone for five days, spending time with our daughter, then watching grandchildren for a few days. So it is rather quiet around here.

Quietness...these are needed times in our lives when we can stop, collect our thoughts, catch up on things that have been slipping or that we have just not paid attention to. Having been in grad school for the past two years, there has not been time, nor resources, for a vacation, no real time away, so these few days of quiet are welcomed (though I must admit I do miss my wife, who is my partner and friend).

Quietness...time to reflect, to pray, to read, to think, to rest...to just be quiet. Outside of conducting a funeral, then Sunday morning service, these will be very quiet days for me...on purpose. I have not scheduled anything, as I want to be quiet, to be still. I know, I have taxes to work on, but that will be done in quietness (perhaps the best way!).

Quietness...peaceful and relaxing. Exactly...and good for the soul. Time to reflect, to let the Word and my devotions soak into me.

Quietness...soft music in the background, and a pondering of St. Paul's words to the early church: "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." (Phil. 4:6-7 Msg. Bible)

Quietness...from the peace of God that displaces worry at the center of your life. Wow, what a way to go. I sure do recommend it.