TF Naz

I struggle with noise. I surround myself with it: the radio, tv, computer, kids talking [or yelling!]- usually all at the same time. It's like I'm addicted to it ... and yet, I never feel close to God when I'm bombarding myself with these things. It's usually it's when I'm alone and quiet.

Time withdrawn from everything is essential to my day ...

Something's wrong...it's too quiet. I've heard, and said, those very words. And choosing not to participate in the noise and clamor is not easy. A quiet evening on the patio is over-run by the neighbor children's bedtime shrieking. A quiet morning on the porch is accented by the neighborhood dogs heading home and the neighbors heading to work. Right now my favorite "withdrawing" place is the bathroom. The distractions from which I can choose are limited. No radio, no TV, no computer, no children...it's my "closet" away from the noise and clamor.

Busy life? I don't think anyone has that going on. The day is never long enough and there is always something else to do and if I have down time it seems as if sitting on the couch doing nothing is the best option. Quiet time can be the hardest thing to find. The crazy life I make for myself is surrounded by stuff, stuff and more stuff. I have to remind myself to put the stuff aside and focus, worship and relax.

Watching the sunrises and sunsets reminds me of the mercy God gifts to each of his children us. The blues from the heavens, reds representing the blood shead on the cross, golds from the streets of heaven, blues from the heavens blend into a most beautiful "mercy vail" that surrounds our world. When I see the beautiful colors blending in the clouds and muntains I remember that our Father sees us fresh and clean each morning, through his "mercy vail." We can start out each day fresh and clean in the Lord. My quiet place to pray is in the evening, sitting on my front step, watching the sunset and taking in the fresh and crisp smells of God.

Fishing.

Have you ever been in an extended power outage near dusk or dawn?? No lights, no noise, no distractions, one really can not "accomplish" much. What does one do to pass the time? How does one wait until daylight so you can continue the routine as best as possible, or near dark does one just go off to bed for lack of anything else to do??

I've found myself in this situation more than once in the recent past and I am struck by how very loud my own heart and mind can be when there is NO other background noise! I can hear not only myself think, but I can hear the Lord speaking to me! I am no different than any other child - my Father has to get my undivided attention before I can focus on and hear what he has to say to me. Quiet and silence is the best way for me to hear my Lord.

I am also struck by how knowledgeable our forefathers were about the Bible and their own spirituality and beliefs. I've often wondered about these men of great minds and vision for this country's future. How did these people know what to do and what to say?? And how is it that each of them were so very well educated in the Bible. I believe it must have been because there was so little to distract them in their daily lives...NO noise! Just a lamp and a Bible to read and contemplate and a quiet heart and mind to hear God speak.