A blessed life is one lived intentionally.
And can we agree that few things in life are more intentional than growing a garden? We scout out a sunny spot, prepare the soil, choose the plants, and pluck them in the ground. I know a little something about this because growing up, we had a large organic garden⏤back before organic was cool.
In the springtime, we planted tomatoes, peppers, corn, and okra. In summer, insects were plucked off stems, and in the fall, decaying tomatoes whizzed past us in hopes of pelting the other person with the ripe scent of rot. Good times!
But in the winter, we rested, as did the ground.
During the winter, rest also happened inside our house as we enjoyed the fruit of our labor from the prior year’s garden. And receiving the Burpee Seed Spring catalog generated as much excitement as the lemon blueberry bundt cakes baked most Sunday afternoons. (Trust me, that’s a lot of excitement!)
So what does a wintering ground have to do with creating holy pockets of stillness?
Just because a ground appears still and lifeless for a season doesn’t mean life isn’t teeming below. And just because we choose to be still doesn’t mean a holy bustle isn’t happening within. In fact, our still moments are the most productive moments of the day.
Imagine the peace and assurance the Israelites must have received from this passage as they left Egypt. In stillness, these words from the Lord can calm the storms raging below our surface⏤fear, worry, bitterness, etc.
On the outside, we’re all smiles. Beneath the happy expression is a heart that is anything but. Recent events, deciding whether or not to take the vaccination, wondering what the year holds, and job concerns elbow their way through an already crowded heart. But in stillness, we remember God’s sovereignty and wait patiently for Him, His timing, and His ways.
If Jesus can hush an angry sea with three words, surely we can still ourselves long enough to hear them too. *smile*
Holy pockets of stillness don’t need to be added to our day — they already exist in the ordinary moments.
- Outdoors. Walking or sitting outside, we close our eyes. What gratitude rises from what you see, smell, or hear?
- Folding laundry. Consider putting a scripture verse on the wall to meditate on while you fold.
- Baking. Watching someone prepare dough for loaves of bread is marvel-worthy in my book. The slow ease with which they knead a simple mixture of flour and liquid into a work of art prompts me to want to do the same. Maybe we don’t bake bread, but we brew cups of tea and prepare meals. Both require a slowing-down of sorts. What if we embraced the quiet process instead of fighting it, choosing to practice stillness as God uses our hands to bring forth beauty?
With stillness comes rest⏤whether it’s a wintering ground or a troubled soul⏤producing a healthier, more resilient, and stronger life for seasons to come.
What’s one simple way you will create a holy pocket of stillness in your day? (There’s no right or wrong answer!)
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It’s in my stillness that I hear and sense God the best! Wonderful post Ms. Cathy. Thank you for the blessing ma’am.
Thank you for sharing, JD! It’s always a blessing to see you here. 🙂
My pocket of stillness happens when I am washing dishes. This is the time when everyone disappears (amazing, right?) and I am alone. I’ve found this is a time when I can pray and I can show thanks for so many blessings. I have hot water in an instant. Food for the meal. Dishes and utensils. So many things that help this process. But most important is that I pray for the ones who ate from the dishes. The ones who brought the food to the store. The town maintenance crew who makes sure the water is working. I love this time alone, but I am not really alone – Jesus is with me!
I love this, Melanie! Talk about redeeming the details of life. You’ve helped me to realize how I can “break down” my gratefulness even more. What a blessing! Thank you!
I have learned to not turn the TV on as soon as I get home. I sit and let the feline family greet me. It’s peaceful and quiet ~ a wonderful transition from the work day into “me” time.
Your intentionality in transitioning in a quiet way blesses (and encourages) me, but not nearly as much as I know it blesses you. Thank you for sharing, Molly Jo!
So good Cathy! I love this perspective and totally agree – I hear His soft whispers so much more often during the “mundane” everyday tasks. Precious moments!
Thanks so much for taking the time to share, Somer!
I created an art corner of sorts in my living area. I find myself whiling away these chilly evenings expressing myself with markers, paints, etc. Quite enjoyable!
If I’ve not said it before, Sandra, I love the way you think. 🙂 How creative! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
My environment is generally quiet- I’m not one who needs background noise be it music or TV. My sweetest stillness is probably my morning before sunrise – Jesus and me with coffee. Then the sun eventually says “good morning” and it’s a still moment for sure- recognizing His faithfulness to give us another day.
And.. I smiled thinking about baking bread.I made bread with my grandsons recently, and didn’t think about it, but we were all quiet while we kneaded the dough. Thanks Cathy for inspiring us so beautifully.
I enjoy the early morning too, Marilyn. Although I’ve never successfully baked bread, I’m going to give it another try. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing!
Wonderful post, Cathy! Love this: “Holy pockets of silence don’t need to be added to our day — they already exist in the ordinary moments.” Yes!
Thank you, Karen! I appreciate you taking the time to share. 🙂 Blessings!
When the weather is warm enough, I enjoy time with God on my deck. Bird song and bamboo wind chimes enhance the stillness. Thank you, Cathy, for reminding us of the joy of stillness.
That sounds lovely, Jeannie. I love bamboo wind chimes too. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing your place of stillness.
Beautiful! Love the verses you have included, Not sure I would like the rotten tomato fight! 🙂 My stillness is anytime I can get outside, or in the evenings after my honey has gone to bed.
Ha! I can’t blame you there, Angie. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
I could almost hear my booted foot crunch through the snow while reading your post. You know that sound when all else is silent? Sweet, so sacred.
I have to share a funny “on me”. I felt the sting of conviction when I read this statement, “Maybe we don’t bake bread, but we brew cups of tea and prepare meals. Both require a slowing-down of sorts.”
I am challenged – I mean narrow-eyed determined – to allow the microwave hit zero and beep before opening the door! Every time I heat a cup of water for tea, it feels like hours pass with every second! What’s up with that? Your post helped me take that deep breath and choose to enjoy the 2-minute pocket of waiting (and many others).
Ha! I’m not a fan of the microwave ring (all three of them) so I stop it early too, but now I’ll join you in redeeming those couple of minutes…all the way to the ring-a-ding-dings. 🙁 Thanks, Charla!
Thanks for the encouragement Cathy! I especially appreciated, “Just because a ground appears still and lifeless for a season doesn’t mean life isn’t teeming below. And just because we choose to be still doesn’t mean a holy bustle isn’t happening within. In fact, our still moments are the most productive moments of the day.”
Hi, Lisa! I’m thankful you were encouraged by the post. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and share. 🙂