The Gift of Quiet Moments

To say life has been really weird this month would be an understatement, and due to the weirdness, it’s been a struggle against feeling anxious.

I’ve been trying to stay informed, but in a manageable way. Mostly, I’ve been trying to keep my mind quiet, and letting the noise that does take up space there count.

So I’m mostly writing and reading and spending some moments just practicing the art of being still. (I’m not very good at this last one, but the attempts are helpful.)


Last year, I fell in love with the routine of spending an hour or so of each morning outside, when possible. With the arrival of warmer weather, I’ve been able to resume this routine a little. Some days, I step outside with my Bible and my notebook and work on devotional and study notes. Sometimes I take a book outside and read. Sometimes I settle in with my journal and empty my thoughts on paper. Sometimes I take a walk.

There’s a gift in finding quiet moments, and I think I overlook those too much.

There is a gift in gray mornings when the rain drizzles down and splashes against the sidewalk in a rhythm that lulls your thoughts to stillness.

There is a gift in sunny mornings when the dew lingers on the grass and soaks through your shoes when you walk.

There is a gift in the gentle rustle of wind in the leaves on a foggy morning.
 

It’s very easy to slip into panic mode during times like this. It’s so easy to let the chaos become a habit—whether the chaos is the same kind we build our lives around every day or extremes like our current pandemic.

It’s overwhelming a lot of the time, and while I want to be prepared and informed, I have to be cautious of keeping practicality from turning into panic.

And the easiest balance I’ve found is to recognize the gift of quiet moments. To be still and focus on the sounds of the birdsong in the mornings or the patter of rain at night. To let out my anxieties in a moment of prayer or scribbles in my journal. To take a walk with my cats trailing behind me and enjoy the sight of the things that haven’t stopped, like daffodils blooming beside the road or new calves walking through a field. To breathe.

“And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.  (Exodus 33:14)
 
 What quiet moments are you thankful for?

Comments

  1. Aaaahhhh, girl! I LOVED THIS SO MUCH. I do tend to fill up every waking second with NOISE. Whether in my head or outside it or both. I don't really just give myself many peaceful moments of simply being still, breathing, soaking up God's beautiful earth. But that's so important. SO IMPORTANT. Especially right now during this scary time. I LOVE your habit of spending an hour outside in the mornings. What a beautiful morning routine.

    Thank you for sharing this. This is much needed right now! I do pray you will continue to find peace in this time of fear. <3

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    1. I'm so glad this offered a little encouragement during this weird time! :)

      Spending time outside has definitely been something I'm even more thankful for lately, now that the weather is warming up a bit, and it's just nice to be able to be out of the house for a little while and not think about stressful things. Praying for you too, dearie!

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  2. Jameson! THIS POST. Girl, I second EVERYTHING you said here. All too often we just take for granted the little things & fail to be thankful & fully present in those times. This is a lovely reminder! And your photos are absolutely GORGEOUS!!! (love love LOVE the one with the cattle! reminds me of when I lived on a farm growing up) <333

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    1. YES. I didn't realize quite how much of "normal" I took for granted until lately, and being present and thankful is something I'm still working on.

      Thank you so much! I've grown rather fond of my cow-neighbors. They always look so contented and make for great photo models! ;D

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