In the Quiet

Strewn about our house are remnants of our time with the kids and grandkids over Christmas and New Year’s, evidence they were here.

A duplo-tower left intact.

A toy car lying on its side, abandoned.

A stuffed Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus hiding in a corner.

An empty formula can on the floor.

A child lock on a kitchen cabinet door.

A high chair sitting beside the kitchen table, as if waiting for the next visit.

A teddy bear’s Christmas hat set on a table far from the teddy bear.

A Mr. Potato head upside down in a bowl with feet in the air!

A “holly jolly” singing snowman lying silent facedown on a table.

And little handprints on the french doors.

The calendar has turned over to a new year, 2023, and now, the quiet settles back in.

I’ve missed you, the quiet.

While trying to make the most of every moment we were together, the quiet disappeared, and Jesus waited quietly in the background.

He knew I would be back at His feet soon enough.

Maybe we filled the moments too full, hoping to have one last game, one last movie, one last deep conversation, one last stolen moment together.

But, I don’t think so. We knew it had to come to an end, the time would go fast. And we would each be back to our lives with a year of opportunities for quiet reflection, rest, renewal, and listening for His voice, His peace.

The temptation will be to fill those quiet moments with noise.

The noise of the newest TV series, the voices on social media, the next news headlines to worry about, games on a cell phone, to fill every moment with “important” things.

Every day is a new opportunity for quiet, a pause for rest, renewal, reflection.

May 2023 be filled with rest, renewed purpose, intentional care for others because I lingered in the “quiet.”

I challenge you to join me in turning down the “noise” of life to enjoy the quiet. The quiet that allows your soul to be nourished.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures (that means you have to stop and listen for His voice), he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” Psalm 23:1-3a

Turn down the noise. Enjoy the quiet!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the gift of family and the time together. And now, thank you for the quiet in the wake of their departure. I ask you to help me steward my time well and resist the urge to fill all the quiet with other voices. May I choose to come to You daily to find those “green pastures” and “quiet waters” that will refresh my soul. I give 2023 to you, in all its uncertainty, expecting You to be with me in the joys and trials. My hope is in You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.