Before that, as I was cooking dinner, Amélie was screaming like a banshee while Oliver raced around the kitchen island on his “motorcycle” (actually a riding truck) like a whirlwind … I didn’t hear the Lord’s voice in the screaming baby … or the whirlwind … or the oven timer.
Even earlier, I was frantically typing out a story that was due in mid-August (but got extended thanks to the patience and understanding of my editor, who himself has three kids) … but the Lord’s voice wasn’t in the clicking of the keys.
It brings to mind this verse:
“And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” I Kings 19:11-12
Life can get pretty hectic, and not just when you have two young children – or even one. Work, play and myriad obligations can pull us in all directions. Even in our down time there are televisions, MP3 players and telephones that can keep our ears humming and our minds occupied. And let’s not forget the less auditory but equally engrossing internet, filled with status updates and blogs and no end to interesting sites that can fill the quiet spaces of our lives.
It all makes it so easy to go an entire lifetime without ever hearing that still, small voice.
I started to think about this more deeply after reading this blog entry a few weeks ago, and this one today.
There are so many reasons why it’s beneficial to be still and quiet – to hear nothing but your own thoughts. It lets your mind decompress, for one thing, to let its guard down after the barrage of stimulation we’re surrounded with here in 2009. It opens a window to possibly – just possibly – develop an original thought (or at least original to you). It settles frayed nerves after a day of screaming, whinging (the children and you) and go, go, go. And it gives God a window of opportunity where He might be heard speaking to your heart.
Don’t get me wrong – I’m not knocking hustle and bustle. After all, the verse says the wind and the earthquake and the fire were all a result of the Lord passing by. They’re not necessarily bad things. The trick is to find the balance. And then, maybe, cope better with the commotion as a result.
Being raised a Seventh-day Adventist, you’d think I (and the whole lot of us) would have this thing sorted. After all, we believe that God created the Sabbath for just such a purpose – a day with no obligations to work or run errands, go shopping or tie up any loose strings. It’s a whole day devoted to opening yourself up to hearing the voice of God. But some how, between church, “fellowship” (often tantalizing gossip sessions), meals and extended naptime, the day slips away without much opportunity to actually be still (still AND conscious, that is).
So what’s my point? I wish I could wrap this up neatly with a promise to take half an hour or even 15 minutes each day to be still and quiet, maybe open my Bible and read (I was going to read it in a year but never got passed Genesis!) or convince you, dear reader, to do the same. But realistically, speaking only for myself, chances are pretty slim right now.
But then I think of flying in an airplane and how they tell you, in case of emergency, to put your own oxygen mask on before you help your child do the same. Because if you do it the other way round you might pass out before you help yourself and then you’re no help to anyone. Maybe it’s the same with stillness. And if it’s not every day, at least a few times a week is surely a good start … for everyone. I hope I can find out …
2 comments:
I visited Heather's post not 2 clicks before visiting yours! I too found it incredibly powerful, and it pinned down exactly where I am.
The still small voice needs to be as loud as my kids' voices, I've decided. Otherwise, I'm just not tuned in enough. But I wish I was. I have prayed prayers, but failed to listen for answers. This, THIS, I think is my challenge.
Loved it.
And PS, give yourself a break. You have a BRAND SPANKIN' NEW baby. You are allowed to lose focus a little.
Ha ha - guess how I found that blog ;-) Your panel of reads is on my morning trek through the blog world!
I think you hit the nail on the head when you speak of praying prayers but not listening for answers. I think most people can relate. Especially because we (I) usually have a particular answer in mind even before we (I) pray.
I agree that you are allowed to loose focus a little with a new baby but also think times like this also require an extra helping of it!
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