Quiet

My empty nest is not quite as I imagined it. I never dreamed I’d be a puppy parent to Great Danes once my own kids were grown! The house is rarely silent as I’m usually either talking aloud to the people or the puppies, or trying to be heard over the barking. Every breeze or creak or car or squirrel produces a deafening chorus of excitement! Familiar voices on speaker phone send Jake and Ella running for the front door anticipating visitors. Even when they’re sleeping, Jake snores loudly.

Sometimes I crave quiet. I need to get alone with my thoughts to sort things out in my own head. Washing dishes or doing laundry- it helps to keep my hands busy doing any mindless task, something I’ve done a million times and could do in my sleep. After my kids have come and gone, while I’m straightening up the kitchen, I replay our conversations in my head, lingering over pleasant memories. Often the lyrics of favorite hymns or worship songs replay in my mind as I hum the familiar tune. But there are other times when I need to sit at Jesus’s feet and simply be still.

“Make it your goal to live a quiet life”

1 Thessalonians 4:11a NLT

https://www.bible.com/116/1th.4.11.nlt

Having the courage to sit quietly before God as often as it takes to align my heart with His is a constant challenge! Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I AM God.” I’m often tempted to stay so busy and surround myself with so much noise that I can no longer hear His voice. His Word is Life and Truth and Light! I need to attune my heart and mind to hear Him above the noise, and that begins with regular quiet stillness.

“Your Word, O Lord, is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:105,11)

Author Holley Gerth recently shared with her subscribers a new perspective. “Many people choose a loud life because quiet requires the courage to confront our own thoughts, hearts, and souls. Quiet moments aren’t selfish, instead they’re essential for a lifetime of loving and serving well.”

Busy can become counterproductive when it replaces all stillness. I tell myself there’s still much to do, but my mother’s words from my own early days of motherhood echo in my ear. The work will be there when the babies are grown. In truth, the work will always be there. I will get to it all eventually but like Martha’s sister, Mary, I need to choose the greater thing and quiet myself at my Master’s feet.

“There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:42 NLT

https://www.bible.com/116/luk.10.42.nlt

“Our God is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

“And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.”

The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.”

Ephesians 1:7-8, 11, 13-14 NLT

https://www.bible.com/116/eph.1.7-8,11,13-14.nlt

The Holy Spirit is so much more than just a guarantee of our inheritance! The Spirit is the mind of Christ, the power of Christ, the peace of Christ indwelling each believer.

“He is the Holy Spirit who leads you into all truth.” (John 14:17) “He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding,” (Ephesians 1:8) “and he makes everything work out according to his plan.” (Ephesians 1:11) He is worthy of all my praise! (Ephesians 1:14)

How will I recognize His still, small voice or see His mighty hand orchestrating my moments and days? By quieting myself, I am allowing Him to equip me for a lifetime of loving and serving well. Have the courage to make space for quiet!