Quiet. In a world of crazy, that’s what I crave.
This week I had some friends over to work on Homecoming mums. (Yes, it’s that time in Texas!) We got to talking about music, and one friend (who is on our church’s worship team) told me she loves to drive in silence. One of her kids asked why she didn’t listen to music in the car when she loves it so much. I couldn’t wait to hear her answer, because I feel the same way! (And feel a little guilty about it. After all, aren’t we supposed to have worship music on at all times?) Turns out, her reasons are the same as mine. She has a busy household, full of teenagers. Alone in the car is often her quiet space. YES, to that!
I love quiet spaces. My typical morning includes at least 30 minutes of quiet before everyone is up and moving. I use that time for my Bible reading and catching up on social media. (Sometimes I just sit and stare into space!!) When Hurricane Harvey came to visit, my routine went out the window. I was able to have quiet times, but I wasn’t always alone. So it wasn’t quite the same.
One of my friends who experienced the worst of Harvey’s devastation, swam away from her home to safety, leaving everything behind. Once settled, her friend let her use her Bible. She said, “I was so craving that time with His Word.”
And that’s the key.
I seek quiet in my physical world. That is not always going to happen. In fact, the noise isn’t always audible. What I really want (and need) is quietness in my soul. A quiet world does not equal a quiet soul. Only time alone with God can do that.
Time in God's Word brings quietness to our souls.Jesus knew this to be true. He prayed with the disciples all the time. But the Gospels are filled with examples of Jesus getting away to quiet places to be alone with His Father (Luke 5:16).
Early in the morning. (Mark 1:35)
In the evening (Matthew 14:23)
Late at night. (Mark 6:45-47)
Sometimes all night long. (Luke 6:12)
Jesus took every opportunity, no matter when it was, to pull away from the demands of a busy life of ministry.
A quiet soul grows from an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. As our relationship with Him deepens, we experience the peace He brings.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. (Psalm 23:2-3a)
I’ll tell ya, though, a few days away from it–and I crave it. But slipping back into it is not always so easy. Sometimes it feels like I’ve got wax in my ears. It takes a bit of work to clear it out so I can hear again. This is where worship helps me. The right music at the right time stirs and settles my soul. It prepares my heart to enjoy the quiet of being alone with God.
The book I want to share with you this week is A Place of Quiet Rest, written by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth.
Joni Eareckson Tada says the following in the Foreward:
A carefully structured quiet time with the Lord is good, but a growing life of devotion to the Savior is more–much more … A Place of Quiet Rest is anything but a mechanistic approach to cultivating a devotional life with the Lord Jesus … It is a book that will help you encounter God as you push past the regimen to the place where you can embrace the Savior in a natural–no, a supernatural way … You will have joy without a lot of parade and noise. Your soul will be serene, yet people all around you will feel the influence of God.
I read A Place of Quiet Rest one spring, many years ago. Some books help move your relationship with the Lord to the next level of intimacy. This book did that for me. I hope it will do the same for you!
I don’t even have teenagers yet and I already drive around in silence sometimes! I’m going to be in big trouble in a couple of years! But, like you, I know where to turn! Thanks for this great reminder! Blessings! And congratulations on the new launch! It looks lovely!
I love the quiet in early morning and also when I am alone in the car. Sometimes I talk to God out loud, but sometimes I’m just listening for Him.
Thanks for this peaceful post!
Oh, Dianne, my fellow mom-of-teenagers kindred spirit! What a blessing to connect with you today via #Faith’n’Friends! So, this: “she has a busy household, full of teenagers. Alone in the car is often her quiet space. YES, to that!” I say “yes to that,” too! I do love to listen to worship music in the car (I’m on worship team at church myself and often practice harmonies and solos there), but when I need to think, process, mull over, and–okay, fine–worry about something, I need that silence with the white-noise background of tires on pavement. I do some of my best thinking there. Which is a good thing, since I spend SO MUCH TIME there. 😉 Thank you for sharing your words and heart here!
Hi Dianne. I love my morning quiet time too. What a blessing that your friend was able to share her Bible with the woman who craved it. Still praying for everyone recovering in Houston, while I’m praying for those in Irma’s path.
With 7 adults and two children in our home, mornings are never quiet. So I have my quiet time in the evenings usually. I love driving and listening to my favorite worship station and most of the times my kids allow me to. Would love to win a copy of the book.
Oh Dianne, I know what you mean about teenagers! When they were little, they’d go to bed at 8 or 9, and I’d have blessed quiet. Now they stay up all night. One of mine has moved away, and I still get texts at 10:30 pm, “Wanna call me?” 🙂 I of course call because what mom shouldn’t be delighted that her 20 year old boy wants to talk to her? But quiet? That comes ONLY in the morning, and in moments of time when I can quiet my soul. 🙂 Or let God do it.
I love this! I absolutely treasure my time with the Lord in the mornings. As a mom of four young children, it is usually the only time I am able to breathe and have some time to myself. I love listening to worship music; it is my direct channel to sweet communion and connection with Jesus, but I also love the times when I sit in silence and meditate on His Word. I love the name of your blog–time with the Lord is definitely “sweeter than honey!” thanks for connecting with #RaRa Linkup!
Thanks, Liz. The teenage years are amazing … crazy, for sure. I love hearing my kids talk about their lives. The car is one of the best places for that! (Until they learn to drive, and then…off they go!) Thanks for visiting STH!
Thanks, Michelle. Quiet early mornings are a blessing! I’m enjoying one now! Have a great weekend!
Thanks, Elizabeth. Let’s continue to redeem our time on the road! You know, with these kids close to being on their own (and definitely driving on their own), the quiet of the car is a good place to pray for them. Lots of good stuff can be done while we’re rolling down the road!
Thanks for praying, Sarah. The recovery ahead is long … even more so for our friends in the BVI. Blessings on your weekend!
I love that your son texts you late at night to talk! I hope that when my kids are on their own, they still want a connection with their Mamma! Have a beautiful weekend!
Thanks, Christin! God and His Word truly are … the sweetest ever. Busy days with four little ones. Praying God strengthens you today as you spend time with Him.