Joy Lenton is my guest today for Treasure the Quiet Moments.
Joy lives in the United Kingdom so you’ll notice the different spelling of the word, Savour. It makes me think of the Savior and savoring all He has done for us. He came to dwell among us. During Advent, we take time to ponder it all.
Joy’s words spoke to me and I hope they resonate with you as well…
Savouring Solitude
I’m home alone, strangely unsettled by my noisy inner monologue.
The house speaks, creaking in sympathy.
I decline to turn on sound. This is an intended period of solitude to savour.
This is a pause in proceedings before Christmas busyness begins.
And I’m already discovering how vulnerable I feel when the one who usually busies himself taking care of me, the house and home is gone for a while.
Yes, there are microwaveable meals in the freezer and a well-stocked fridge, but physical support is notably absent.
Although practical help is available should I need it, I’m seeking to spend these days as space for moments of undisturbed connection with God.
There are far too many voices speaking into my days and they can be a distraction in sensing God’s presence or hearing from Him.
Here in the quiet, I become increasingly aware of my dependence.
Not just the emotional and physical one because my husband normally takes care of tasks I’m too unwell to do, but also the dependence I have developed on hearing other voices, participating in worldly noise.
So I begin by burying myself in my laptop, a safe, familiar place, as you do.
Excusing myself by doing some necessary on-line Christmas shopping – just to get ahead, you understand.
Then I stay connected because I have commitments and comments to answer. It would be rude not to, wouldn’t it?
By the third day there’s a resurrection of sorts as I sense a new calm coming over me and an increased ability to stay present in prayer.
Inner chatter persists, as does the call and clamour of life, but I am able to resist it for now.
Because, like Mary, I have found the better thing is to sit at Jesus’ feet, to spend time there without noticing its passing.
To pray in silence, sit and savour the peace Jesus gives us whenever we pause long enough to receive it.
To meet with God in the everyday as He wants us to, sense His loving hand guiding the hours.
Yes, I’m still struggling with M.E, chronic illness and pain, unable to fully participate in external things, weak and weary most days and wondering just how to do Christmas this year as any other.
However, this brief time alone has shown me that God is ever-present with the lonely, the housebound, those missing loved ones, all who grieve, the sick and suffering.
Advent is about anticipating His arrival, celebrating the wonder of Emmanuel come to earth.
It’s about awe and gratitude for God being with us today.
So this year, I plan to pursue a period of inner stillness during Advent and rest more in God’s provision and grace for the days ahead.
Maybe you could consider it too?
What are some ways you can practice solitude?
Joy is a grateful grace dweller who finds community among the weak and the broken, the edge-dwellers and truth-tellers. She enjoys having fellowship with poets, writers, and contemplatives as she seeks after God’s heart.
You can find her raking for beauty out of ashes at poetryjoy.com and wordsofjoy.me where she writes to encourage others on their journey of life and faith.
She would love to connect with you on her blogs, or on Twitter, Facebook or Google +
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You may enjoy Christmas Solitude – Beautiful Piano Instrumentals:
I really needed to hear this! I have bad anxiety and because of it, I spend lots of time alone. Thank you for your message!
Thank you for your comment, Renee. I know many can relate to Joy’s heart. And, I know God is with you in your struggle. He is Emmanuel–God with us. What a precious gift God gives us and that reminder comes every time we celebrate Christmas.
Thank you for letting us know these words have blessed you today, Renee. May you be comforted by God’s continual presence and rest in His peace. He knows how you feel and is always close by to offer support, love and grace to cope to you.
I am always blessed by Joy’s gentle, quiet sensitivity to the Lord. Thank you for having here here and Joy, we are kindreds to the beauty of quietness – as you know. So grateful for our connection in Christ…in these times when we so often are separated physically from fellowship, companionship for various reasons- but not from the Unity of the Spirit. This is the beautiful gift of our LOrd. Love to you, Joy!
“To pray in silence, sit and savour the peace Jesus gives us whenever we pause long enough to receive it. To meet with God in the everyday as He wants us to, sense His loving hand guiding the hours.” Oh, how he nourishes us with His own quiet but ever present Presence!
Hello Dawn. It’s good to see you here, my friend! Yes, we are kindred spirits and I suspect there are many like us who savour spiritual whitespace and the way it soothes our souls.
The world’s clamour can so easily overcome us if we let it.
And I say ‘Amen’ to this too: “Oh, how he nourishes us with His own quiet but ever present Presence!” I’m blessed by your words and the way we can connect as sisters in Christ in this space, and I’m grateful for your friendship too.
Dawn, I appreciate your words of wisdom. It is truly a gift. I can’t wait till we can meet face to face.
Beautiful. This morning I was thinking of all the things I needed to accomplish. As I sat at my computer to begin my article for a website, I stopped, took a breath and prayed. I thanked God for loving me, caring for me, and giving me the opportunity to write for Him. I praised Him and His attributes. I acknowledged that He is the reason for everything I do. My stress melted away.
Cherrilynn, I love that prayer brings the peace we so desperately need. I love that God is with us–everyday! Thanks for sharing your heart
Cherrilyn, it sounds as if you chose the better part like Mary did by resting in Jesus’ presence, rather than allowing the tasks of the day to overwhelm her as Martha did. And as an added bonus and incentive, our stress levels go down too as we breathe out tension and breathe in His peace! Thank you for sharing your insights. Blessings on your words and work to God’s praise and glory.
Joy, I love your admission that you spend the first day or so of your quiet time wrapped up in distracting thoughts or in your laptop. I’ve always been frustrated with myself because I’m the same way.
I always gave up and never quite achieved that special time with Him. I’m encouraged that you stayed with it and, after a couple days, you began to sense His presence and to have a precious time in prayer. I need to stay with Him long enough to allow Him to clear my thoughts and help me to focus on Him.
Sherry, it was hard, I must admit. Even for a naturally quiet soul like me. Our inner noise is difficult to ignore if not switch off. And there are so many temptations to want to stay connected to life’s busyness. May I encourage you to persevere? It’s definitely worth it. What we tend to forget is how much God loves us to spend time with Him. It’s not a one-way street. His Father heart yearns for our company.
I’ve found that small moments offered up at frequent intervals work best for me, as does having a reading or two to go through as I quieten myself before the Lord. Please be reassured it will get easier in time, and if we can slowly extend those moments they begin to bring an inner peace we start to crave. Praying for you, friend.