An Attempt at Quiet Space

Wanting to have devotions this morning but I already was impatient with my four old and I hear Sabine in the crib wanting to get out. I long for the simplistic, quiet life. Because in it I think there will be peace for my soul. But the reality is that there is no peace apart from Christ. Why I am I starting a new blog after so many years? Because I want a record with my time with the Lord. But first I must get Sebastian cereal. 

Sabine has the phone and is "talking" to Omi. Everyone is now awake and we are sitting in the living room. The reality is that like any good monk, I need to get up early like 4am to seek your face, Lord. I know the time is short. I also know You you have impressed it on my heart to pray for those who do not know You and for those who need healing in every sense of the word. My impatience does not achieve this. 

Now the baby is climbing on my lap peering over my computer screen; "hello?" she seems to say. Yes, when they are awake and with me they need to be my attention. This time is short. 

Richard Foster, in his book, Freedom of Simplicity, focuses on the changing of the inward heart and life in the Center: "Life from the Center is a life of unhurried peace and power. It is simple. It is serene. It is amazing... it takes no time but occupies all our time"(103)

Should anyone read this, I do not mind if you see my weakness and sin. What have I to hide that's not going to be revealed on the last day? I am tired and world-weary. I wonder at the path I am on and still question whether it is the best. This journey, this pilgrimage, I will record. My fascination with the quiet, the simple, the pure and holy tends to seek its manifestation in the externalities I am surrounded by.

When I am feeling most out of control is when I especially want my "space" to be clean and organized because it is the antithesis of what I am experiencing on my inside. Ecceleciastes 9:7-8 instructs us, to eat our bread in happiness, to drink our wine with a cheerful heart, and to be always clothed in white and keep our heads anointed with oil. We are to go about our common days and yet keep ourselves holy and set apart. This indeed is what holiness is- being set apart for the Lord and His purposes. Being clothed in white externally symbolizes the fact that Christ has clothed us in white internally. We are clean and pure even when we stress that we feel not and are not. Yet His reality is the reality. Thank you Lord.

Amen.