peace path

rough and rutted, tires rumbling

this noisy road carries us

to a place of peace

a house that is already home

however temporary

May I live to make Paul's words truth --

Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, 

for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point 

where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am. 

I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, 

and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. 

I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare 

or going without and being in want. 

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me 

[I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him 

Who infuses inner strength into me;

 I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].

Philippians 4:11-13 Amplified

rest, yes

we are away

for a time

of refocusing

refinement

and rest

without a vehicle

in an unfamiliar city

bowing low 

to be able receive care

from others

taking has not been easy

yesterday afternoon

I slipped, or tripped

and twisted my back

as pain spasms

the need for rest increases

and yet God Is

holding me, in control

pouring out His grace

saying yes

rest, yes

stay right here

at My feet

 

sleep in the mist

mist is heavy

thick in sun's first light

mothers bend low

tending to fields

keeping babies close

secure enough to rest deep

can we find such peace

in His presence

even as we labor?

You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace 

whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, 

because he commits himself to You, leans on You, 

and hopes confidently in You.

Isaiah 26:3 Amplified

 

between breaths

Sometimes 

the most important thing 

in a whole day 

is the rest we take 

between two deep breaths,

or the turning inwards in prayer 

for five short minutes

Etty Hillesum

stop along the road

pause, pray, praise

find the centre

breathe in beauty

before continuing on

finding the stillness with Sandy

 

rest

she lived free

to run, exploring

and defending the acres

that were her home

her only trips away

were to the kennel 

for boarding or the vet 

she went cheerfully to both

with tail wags and licks

always willing to share

her joy in the moment

even the pain that settled

in her bones did not hinder 

her desire to give love

yesterday morning

was no different she jumped 

happy into the backseat

of the car, only surprised

that I chose to climb in beside her

instead of taking my usual place 

in front, next to "the boss"

she didn't know 

it was her last ride

she didn't flinch or complain

when the veterinary assistant

held her back leg so the doctor

could shave through the thick fur

making room for the needle

she was too busy

giving and receiving affection

as we held and stroked her

cherishing each of her sweet kisses

as much as she enjoyed bestowing them

until the lure of sleep

called far too strong

and she lay down her head

breathing peaceful into death

in the same way she lived

with a rhythm all her own

joining Kelli where rhythms are never forced

 

Finding Spiritual Whitespace

This post is part of the  “Finding Spiritual Whitespace Blog Tour” which I am a part of, along with a group of soulful, journeying kindreds. To learn more and join us, CLICK HERE!  

I know I'm not the only one who has thought that perhaps life would be easier if we kept our hearts sheltered.

The world around us certainly provides the opportunity to stay so busy that we don't have to listen to the rumblings in our spirit, reminding us that we're hungry for more.

More of what God can provide if we slow down and allow Him entry to all those places we have kept hidden.

I have heard His knock, soft yet persistent

come away, come away

I Am waiting

breathe in the life I offer

free, full, complete

you are never alone

and all that you need

is in Me

together you and I

moment by moment

will create the beauty

that you already are

in the vast quiet space

of My love

Bonnie Gray's wonderful new book Finding Spiritual Whitespace Awakening Your Soul To Rest is part memoir, part workbook and part poetry.  It holds up a mirror for those brave enough to grab the hand of Jesus and take a long, slow look.

As much as you might find yourself captivated by the flow of the words and anxious to read quickly, don't.

This book is meant to be savoured and worked with, not eaten in a few short gulps. Like allowing a chocolate to melt on your tongue, move slowly and allow a conversation to develop and deepen between yourself and the Lover of your soul.

In knowing Him more, you will also find your truest self and in these pages, Bonnie blazes a trail to lead the way.

Bonnie Gray is the writer behind Faith Barista.com who wrote a book about her inspiring, heart-breaking journey to find rest, which garnered Publisher’s Weekly starred review. I’m taking the journey to find rest through this guidebook and invite you to read it too.  You can get a copy HERE.

 

whitespace is not blank

the absence of busy

does not equal nothingness

the absence of busy

is not empty

the busy itself is the vacuum

the energy drain, set fully open

till nothing is left but the busy

no light

no breath

no meaning

just stop, if you can

for a moment

one moment in time

turn off the noise

listen

He has been calling

through the ages

My beloved spoke 

and said to me,

    “Arise, my darling,

    my beautiful one, 

come with me.

Song of Songs 2:10 NIV

in rest, in Him

in long, slow breaths

there is space

to create

to embrace the new thing

He wants to bring forth

through you

through me

to all who would stop

and come

letting go of the busy

to be

renewed

refreshed

restored

His 

work of art

allowing room for whitespace with Bonnie

this is also what we're doing over at Sandy's as we are working through Making Manifest

 

addicted to still

Silence

It has a sound, a fullness.

It's heavy with sigh of tree,

and space between breaths.

It's ripe with pause between birdsong

and crash of surf. 

It's golden they say.

But no one tells us it's addictive

Angela Long

our land was beginning to show itself

black soil damp from the melting

today the snow returns

a fresh cloak

to silence spring

yet again

I will sit in the quiet of this day

asking patience and peace

to settle with the gray

seeking the stillness with Sandy

 

made for Himself

God has made us for Himself, 

and our hearts can never know rest and perfect satisfaction 

until they find it in Him.

Hannah Hurnard

the snow is soft

clean, silent

surrounding me

for days, weeks, months

life slows

as He makes more time

for Himself

looking for that quiet place with Sandy

 

find the cross

the sparkle, the lights

the house warmed

by scents of fir, cinnamon

ready to calm a restless heart

shake snow off boots

shed layers of protection

take time to settle

look close

behind the tree

and find the cross

 

renewal

time crushes, demands 

more than it gives

harsh wind pulling

away from my source

too much not enough

left me hard, brittle

disconnected

the call was thin, almost 

too quiet to hear

come away

leaving snow

and static behind

to breathe, washed 

by steady rain

heart pores open

made supple once more

finding my place elbow to elbow with the other poets today

 

packing light

My life is the story of a man 

who always wants to carry too much. 

My spiritual quest is the painful process 

of learning to let go of things not essential. 

reallivepreacher.com weblog

as I prepare for a time of retreat

I desire to pack light

to carry less

so my hands are free to grab

whatever He offers

 I want to live

with open hands

and an open heart

 letting go

to lean in to Him

waiting in the quiet with Sandy

new snow

Whose woods these are I think I know.   

His house is in the village though;   

He will not see me stopping here   

To watch his woods fill up with snow.   

My little horse must think it queer   

To stop without a farmhouse near   

Between the woods and frozen lake   

The darkest evening of the year.   

He gives his harness bells a shake   

To ask if there is some mistake.   

The only other sound’s the sweep   

Of easy wind and downy flake.   

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.   

But I have promises to keep,   

And miles to go before I sleep,   

And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost

I am finding rest 

in the silence and the beauty

of His new fallen snow

smoothing rough edges

coating the world with fresh

 

finding the stillness with Sandy

 

surrender to stillness

The emptiness of an open heart creates a cavity for God to fill

T. D. Jakes

in the busy

in the rush

in the midst of the world's call to do more

here, now

I must surrender

to His whispered command

rest

this is day 5 of 31 Days of Surrender

and into the stillness 

 

truth to rest in

But now thus says the Lord,

he who created you, O Jacob,

he who formed you, O Israel:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine.

When you pass through the waters I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.

Isaiah 43:1-2 RSV

in this truth,

in this powerful promise from my Lord

I will sink in and find a place to rest

seeking the stillness with Sandy 

 

and singing with the Sunday choir at Deidra's

 

Photosynthesis

I woke this morning with the word photosynthesis on my lips.  "How odd" I chuckled as I shared this with Rick.  I hadn't been thinking or dreaming of plants so it seemed strange indeed.

I sensed perhaps God was trying to tell me something and a Google search lead me to wikipedia where I read the following:

Photosynthesis is a process used by plants and other organisms to convert light energy, normally from the sun, into chemical energy that can be used to fuel the organisms' activities

Normally from the sun?  What about the Son?

Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the Light which is Life. John 8:12 Amplified

He Who Is light gives me the energy to do all that He asks of me.  I find great peace, rest and the freedom to be still in that simple and  profound truth.

 

needing to be still with Sandy

abiding with Cheryl

 

Rest. Rest. Rest.

Rest. 

Rest. 

Rest in God's love. 

The only work you are required now to do 

is to give your most intense attention 

to His still, small voice within.  

Madame Jeanne Guyon

 

in the quiet with Sandy

 

Stop running

Am I a writer of poetry attempting long forms

or am I a writer of broken prose 

that tends toward poetic expression?

I am choosing to waste no time 

attempting to categorize myself 

as anything more than a pen in His hand.

I have run from the gifts He has given.

I have run into the gifts.

I have banged my head and stubbed my toes

and bear the scars and bruises.

At times I would prefer to paint

or dance

or sing

but He gives as He chooses

to suit His will.

I have run into the gifts

I have run from the gifts

fingers tender from the keyboard

too many pens rattling in my purse

He knows who He has called

what I cannot do, He can.

In that, I find my rest.

 

hooking up to Lisa-Jo talking about rest