I’m a hibernator by nature. I love all things cozy, flickering, warm, and quiet. How ’bout you?
Like flowers that take flight in spring after a time of gathering up God’s goodness beneath a dormant ground, we too have similar opportunities.
You may remember my post, “Hibernate in Prayer to Awaken Your Soul”. Today, we’ll consider four more small, specific ways to hunker down, quiet our souls, and draw near to God in preparation for blooming wherever He plants us.
Immersing ourselves in God’s Word.
Merriam Webster defines the word “immersion” like this: to plunge into something that surrounds or covers especially. One way to immerse ourselves in scripture is to practice Lectio Divina, which simply means divine reading. There’s nothing mystical or new age-y about it (or else you wouldn’t find it here). And it’s no longer seen as belonging to a particular sect. It’s for every Christ-follower who longs to slow down to a savoring pace. Here’s a PDF sample I created if you’d like to give it a try!
Sing!
Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. (Psalm 63:7 NIV) This place, beneath the shadow of God’s wings, is one of comfort and protection. As we stay close to Christ, how can we not sing? Put this verse to your own melody or sing another song/hymn that resonates way down deep. Or quietly hum. Look up to the sky or close your eyes ⏤ whatever helps you stay focused on the One you’re praising. What a sweet, sweet sound in the ears of our Heavenly Father.
Silence.
For God alone my heart waits in silence and quietly submits to him, for my hope is from him. (Psalm 62.5 AMP) What might seem like a simple act can quickly turn into a rodeo as we lasso distractions into submission. It’s why I created a system to help me remain still and silent despite the dodging of a noose. When a random thought or chore (supposedly in need of immediate attention) darts out while practicing the art of silence, I whisper the words not receiving. Maybe it’s just the way my quirky brain works but it helps me to differentiate the thoughts I want to set aside or discard and those I want to keep.
Confession.
Talk about freedom! If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 ESV) Sometimes, when words are a struggle, I pull out my journal and spill out every thought, sin, or question onto paper. Then, I draw a line beneath the confession and write what I know to be true despite those times I don’t feel forgiven. Whew! Thank goodness our faith is never dependent on emotions, only God’s Word. These quiet moments of cleansing ⏤ they’re sacred, life-giving, and refreshing. I’d love to share this journaling practice with you.
“Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” – Vincent Van Gogh
A series of small things brought together, like soaking in God’s Word, worship, silence, and confession, bring forth great things for God’s glory.
Where do you “hibernate” with God in your home? We’d love to know! Share your answer in the comment section and you’ll be entered into a giveaway for a cup of your favorite Starbucks drink. Winter + a favorite warm beverage = pure delight!
Heads up! The January theme in our Creative Pauses Facebook group is “Hibernating in the Holy”. Each weekday, we’ll focus on a different spiritual “hibernation” practice. We’d love for you to join us!
Maybe you spotted our current gift for new subscribers, What to Pray for Room-by-Room? Together, we’ll walk through the rooms of your home as I share ideas on ways to pray for you, your family, guests, and even strangers. You’ll find the new subscriber box at the top of the sidebar. Of course, you can unsubscribe at any time, but we hope you’ll feel right at home here in The Tiny House on the Hill.
These words embraced my spirit, “slow down to a savoring pace.”
Choosing to slow my pace is an option more often than I once thought. After years of believing my pace was out of my control, I chose to turn down the dial no matter the results. And the results were the realization that I was deceived! I don’t HAVE to live life like I’m on a high-speed coaster. My favorite place to hibernate with God in my home is at my writing desk.
Your words are like a key unlocking the enemy’s lies that says busy is out of our control. One thing I love about my new planner is the list that asks what the yeses will be this year and what the no’s will be. It’s freeing! Thanks so much for taking the time to share, Charla.
Mine isn’t so much a place as a time. I hibernate with God when everyone else is still asleep.
I love this perspective, Lisa. Thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
I get up early before my mate. This quiet time is something I look forward to each morning. It quiets my soul and better connects me. But, if I don’t watch out, I can begin to think about what needs to be done that day. I have to stop myself or it gets out of control.
Hi, Barbara! You’re in good company. 🙂 Those “to do” thoughts have a way of sneaking in the back door, don’t they? Thanks so much for taking the time to share. Blessings!
Great prompts and reminders, Cathy! I love to immerse myself in the Word. To take time tk absorb every ounce of “goody” from the passage. This quote spoke to my heart because sometimes I feel like I don’t get enough done.
Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” – Vincent Van Gogh
I think I’ll stick with my slower pace. Lovely post, Cathy! BTW, I’m stealing the quote. Its a keeper Nd woeth sharing.
Steal away, Gail! 🙂 It spoke to me too. I’m glad you enjoyed the post and thanks so much for taking the time to share. Blessings!
I get up very early and my drop leaf table is my spot. I just loved this post and the comments. Yes and Amen to divine reading, so glad you included it as well as the excellent explanation.
It sounds like a lovely spot, Elaine. I have a couple of drop leaf tables from my great-grandmother’s house. I’m thankful you enjoyed this post and the comments that followed. Thank YOU for being one of them! I appreciate your taking the time to share. Blessings!
You seemed to describe my natural instincts perfectly Ms. Cathy! I’m a “Hibernator” too. Love these ideas ma’am. Time with God is the perfect recipe for any season my friend, but especially during those “hibernation” times when we are resting and refreshing. God’s blessings ma’am.
Thank you, JD, for taking the time to share here as well as on Facebook. You’re such an encourager and it doesn’t go unnoticed, my friend. Blessings to you and your sweet wife!
As a pondered what word to focus on in the new year, I considered ones like—intentional… faithful… disciplined. Because I hope to accomplish some things that will definitely take each of these, tasks like purging, organizing, and continuing to edit my work in progress, each of these words seemed appropriate. But as I really leaned in and listened, it seemed that God had a different word for me. I landed on WONDER. As I ask him to establish the work of my hands for me, like Moses sang in Psalm 90:17, I desire to look at life— whether it’s the 7th expired bottle of Tylenol in our medicine cabinet that I WONDER about (Why EVER do I have all these?) or if it’s the piece of artwork my middle son Jacob (now 22) made in elementary school, the one with all the potato prints that make me sigh and WONDER, “Where did time go?”… I believe that God wants me to face everything with WONDER. Mostly, I felt I heard him say that, as I keep my two little granddaughters, see through their eyes all the newness of life, I want to be like them—desiring to gasp sometimes and say with WONDER, “Wow!” It will be interesting at the end of this year to see all the ways that those 365 days were filled WONDER-fully… the good, the bad and even the ugly. Because we know we serve a Faithful Father who works all things out beautifully for those who love him (ROM. 8:28). And that is a WONDER-ful promise!❤️❤️❤️
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I love this so much, Maureen. It felt like a pause to my soul, truly. The song “Wonder” by Hillsong is a favorite for some of the reasons you mentioned above. “May we never lose our wonder…” Yes, Jesus! Thank you for taking the time to share how the Lord is speaking to you, sweet friend.
I’m afraid I’m going to love tiny house on the hill! Everything I read here today is what our Equipping Bible study group is working on. Spending quiet time with God and being still to hear His voice
I’m so glad you love the tiny space too! 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to share. Hope you’ll come back for a visit. Blessings!