Quiet

I always enjoy coming home to the peace, stillness, and quiet of The Acres. Tonight there are some off and on showers to add to the mood. Yes, rain adds to the peaceful stillness. Another of His gifts that we too often complain about instead of enjoying its beauty. We, as disciples, so need those quiet times--alone times. They are invigorating times of meditation on the Word He has planted in our hearts. They are times of honest conversation with the One who knows our e...very fear, every struggle, every doubt and is never "put out" about our wayward selfish thoughts. He is quick to encourage, ready to lovingly exhort, eager to edify His child--to build us up for what He knows is coming--settle our hearts and minds on the Rock of our Deliverance. He is eager to fold us under His wings. I have found that the rest He places in my heart in the quiet times remains at work in my soul even when I have returned to the chaos and busyness of the next day. As quiet, alone times strengthened our Savior as He walked this earth so they will strengthen us as we walk the dusty roads of our place of calling. Often, He has been gracious enough to make me slow down, embrace the quiet, relish the aloneness. Do not despise the times when He says, "Stop, you need some time with me alone." No matter if you are by nature a quiet, lone soul like some old man I know, or an avid doer like so many I know and love, faithful discipleship finds its strength for the day in times alone with the Lover of your soul and the Power of your daily walk of obedience. "Be still and know that I Am God" is not a suggestion. And to know Him more deeply is to love Him more deeply, and to love Him more deeply is to love others more deeply, and such love is the essence of the Christian life. "Love the Lord your God with all your strength, with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your will, and with all your soul, and love your neighbor as I have loved you." Don't let busyness--even Christian busyness; especially Christian busyness--keep you from those times alone with the Savior of your soul.