I am so thankful for all the guest bloggers who stepped in and offered their work for guest posts. It was nice to take a step back for a couple weeks and rest.
Rest is something I have a hard time with. I like to fill quiet moments with something, be it my phone, Facebook, or T.V. I have a really hard time with stillness.
Yet it’s something that I desperately need to do. For life in general, and in worship.
Worship isn’t always about the things we do for God. Sometimes it’s more of the things we don’t do. Putting away all the busyness and just sitting quietly. I think God likes that. I think He can speak into us easier with less distractions going on.
I miss my vacation mountain cabin, where I could sit on the back porch and gaze out at an incredible view. It’s easier to slow down when you’re in vacation mode. But I’m coming to grips with the fact that I can’t always be in vacation mode. I’m learning to appreciate front porch moments at home. I live in a peaceful, quiet neighborhood, and my front porch is a great place to sit and gaze out at the trees and watch the birds fight over the feeder. Now that fall is slowly settling in, I’m excited for more front porch moments (it’s hard to sit out there restfully in 98 degree heat).
I’m gradually training myself to slow down a bit more.
What are your front porch moments? How do you slow down and rest in everyday life?
I really don’t. I need to.
I’m terrible at it too. It seems like I need to get knocked on my butt before I realize how important it is.
I agree with Larry…. I am reminded of the verse… be still and know that I am God I need to be still alot more.
It’s tough to do for sure.
Last week, I decided that every day that week I would pray for 1/2 hour, with no distractions. I feel like it was really good for me- it made me slow down and keep my attention on God, rather than just going from one distraction to another. I should do that stuff more often.
Oh, what a great idea, and good for you for following through with it.
If I’m honest, I struggle with taking time for front porch moments these days. I have a job, a family with two active teens, church activities, a blog, and other plates that I try to keep spinning. It can be a real challenge for me to slow down. Two things that help though are running and gardening. Both of these activities give me an opportunity to think and to work physically. These may not sound like slowing down activities, but they are significant factors in re-charging my run-down battery.
I’m totally with you there. Taking a walk or photography are ways that I use to recharge myself.