Our Treasure the Quiet Moments series continues with my guest, Cynthia Ruchti
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In the Still of the Night captures me as Cynthia paints words of God’s starry display. People have their eyes down…on our phones…on circumstances. But God is telling us to pause, look up, and see His handiwork. The stars in the night sky are breathtaking.
Cynthia’s newest book release is called, An Endless Christmas: A Novella
Your comment will also contribute to our series giveaway – A hand painted Christmas sign that says, Glory to the Newborn King.
So very long ago, Jesus was born….
In the Still of the Night
The world swirled around me this past week, my thoughts colliding into each other as I raced toward deadlines and faced more than one unexpected crisis. Temporary crises, but still…
Still.
I watch the calendar days consume each other, like a video game character with its mouth wide open, gobbling days like snacks, leaving me malnourished.
From their storage bins, holiday decorations blink their nagging, even when not plugged in. “Somebody is going to have to put us up,” they taunt, “if anyone is ever to enjoy us.”
The list of Christmas gift ideas sits on the counter, unaddressed. The cards I bought three years ago to send to friends and family aren’t outdated—Christmas is Christmas—but they may live to see another season pass without the joy of travel.
Minor things, really. But still…
Still.
As I scrolled through social media in my quest to locate the essential-must-have quote I needed for an upcoming blog post, my eye caught a weather prediction that the Aurora Borealis might be especially pronounced in my area that night. I’d likely be up that late, working to catch up. So I added “look for the aurora” on my to-do list.
Instead of blinking at me from the list as one more thing to do, it became a siren call to something larger and more important. When it was dark enough, I stepped outside and stood looking to the north. Trees stood in the way, but still…
Still.
The stiller I grew, the more I saw.
Living in the heart of the northwoods, the nearest town of any size fifteen miles away, the sky above was inky dark and peppered with more stars than I remembered seeing before. Then, a flash of green that changed to pink. I blinked to clear my vision. There it was again, brighter green now and flinging itself in ripples across the northern sky. Now blue. Now yellow. Now pink again. Then its signature bright green.
I lingered in the driveway longer than I planned, mesmerized by the phenomenon, by the idea that—just for fun—God would occasionally fling His paintbrush against the sky and allow us to watch [Click to Tweet] over His shoulder.
At last, I called it a night and crawled into bed.
A few minutes later, I got up and crept to the spare room that faced north. From this vantage point, on the second floor, the view was even more spectacular. I watched, my soul settling into a stillness that recalibrated much more than my pulse and blood pressure.
God—more eternal than the stars, more breathtaking than a dancing riot of color-lights against a black sky—bent to earth and laid His Son in a manger as a gift. For me. For anyone who recognizes the gift for what it is—the birth of our redemption. Ancient years ago, but still…
Still.
Cynthia Ruchti tells stories hemmed in Hope through her award-winning novels, novellas, devotionals, nonfiction, and through speaking events for women or writers. She and her husband live in the heart of Wisconsin, not far from their three children and five grandchildren. Cynthia says, “It’s my prayer that when readers finish one of my books or head home after a speaking engagement, they’ll have greater confidence to say, ‘I can’t unravel. I’m hemmed in hope.’” You can connect with Cynthia through cynthiaruchti.com, hemmedinhope.com, or Facebook.com/CynthiaRuchtiReaderPage.
Thanks for your beautiful words, Cynthia.
Be sure to leave a comment to be eligible to win a copy of Cynthia Ruchti’s book, An Endless Christmas: A Novella
Contest for a hard cover copy open to U.S. residents only. Overseas winner will receive the electronic version.
Treasure the quiet moments this holiday season with a good Christmas story. [Click to Tweet]
Beautiful. My most precious moments with God are during the STILL of morning. I refuse to get out of bed until I have thanked my Abba for the day and ask Him, “What do you have for your servant today?” I am Still until I get my marching orders. Thank you for your post.
Cherrilynn, What a great way to begin the day. He is our Abba Daddy. And, when it is still, we can sense His presence. Thanks for your thoughts.
So beautiful!
Thank you, Cynthia, for sharing God’s paintbrush with us. What a beautiful reminder of our God who loves to delight us.
Jeanne, I am loving the “Treasure the Moment” series. Thank you so much for bringing these great messages to us.
Thank you, Jane. So glad these posts are blessing you. Treasuring each moment isn’t something that comes naturally to us. But during this time of year, what a goal to seek. Cynthia’s words blessed me too!!
Jane, your comment is deeply appreciated. We miss so much when we’re too infrequently still.
I love still. And Northern Lights. And so enjoyed the way you shared the message and the life experience. Bless you!
Joy, I agree. Cynthia’s words flow like poetry, painting a beautiful image of peace. The Heavens declare His Glory and His stars shine over us like a benediction. Thanks for sharing your comment today.
What a Joy! I thought your name looked familiar. Your book Rain Dance was one of the first I read (through) on my Kindle. I loved it and I still have it!
Congratulations to Joy Dekok. You have won a copy of, An Endless Christmas. Please send me your mailing address so Cynthia can get it right out to you.
Thanks to you all for your comments and shares on this post.