In The Presence Project, led by Summer Gross, our practice this month is taking ten minutes of stillness each day. That is not a very long stretch of time, but it’s amazing what a few minutes does to bring calm on a busy day.
Sitting still enables us to observe our surroundings better, taking it in through all of our senses.
It helps make us aware of things we may miss while going through our busy days. I love spending time on my front porch either on the rocking chair or swing. This poem came out of one of those times of stillness on my porch.
Benefits of Practicing Stillness
As we intentionally set aside a few minutes, it becomes easier to stop the hamster wheel and enjoy longer times of rest. It also helps us learn to pay attention to the details of all the moments of life. We begin to crave more times of stillness. Our observational skills are heightened and we notice more, not just when we are still.
We notice the beauty, the colorful flowers, the song of a wood thrush, the wind rushing through the trees, the goodness of people as they reach out to help each other.
Life-giving Messages
My daughter, Jamie, wrote about angels this week, though maybe not in the way you normally think of them. We know of the angels in the Bible who announced the coming birth of Jesus. In I Kings 19, we read how an angel came to minister to Elijah with fresh hot bread and water. So God uses angels to bring messages, to minister to us and to do His will.
By looking around and enjoying what I see and hear and experience, I taste the Lord’s goodness in what He provides.
Much like the angels who ministered to those in Bible times, Jesus ministers to us today. His provision can come to us through life-giving messages from quiet times in nature, from music, from other people’s acts of kindness and sometimes even from real angels.
Psalm 34:8 (CSB)
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
How happy is the person who takes refuge in him!
Take time for a few minutes of stillness today. Notice your surroundings using all your senses. Look for beauty and for life-giving messages from our Creator.]
I’d love to hear your thoughts and what you find when you take intentional times of stillness.
Be sure to check out Jamie’s post!
I’m linking up with: #TuneInThursday, #InspireMeMonday, #LMMLinkup
Beautiful post, Gayl! Sharing in my Twitter queue next week.
Thanks so much, Sarah. Blessings to you!
These are such beautiful thoughts and images, Gayl. Today as I found myself needing to rest more, I was aware of a wren singing and moving from door to window and back again. Even my neighbor who stopped by for a few moments heard it also! I am so thankful that God sends us beauty that will help us to be encouraged if we only pause to be aware of it. Thank you for the ways that you always point us to God’s beauty! Blessings and love dear friend!
Thank you so much, dear Bettie. What a beautiful gift to see and hear the wren! Yes, we can miss so much when we forget to pause. I’m thankful for the gifts He gives us every day. Blessings and love to you, too, dear sister! xoxo
Beautiful. I find great joy in sitting still and absorbing His blessings. Have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
Thank you, Melissa! Yes, when we take time to sit still we are able to find joy in His blessings. Blessings to you! Have a great weekend.
Stillness brings me such a sense of peace. I’ve been doing the same over the past few weeks and it has truly been life changing.
Yes, a sense of peace! It really is life changing, isn’t it?! Blessings to you!
I’ve got to get in more of these times. They are so refreshing. I recall, with fondness, the times I have spent being still and taking in God’s creation around me. I wrote a poem or two during those times as well!
They really are refreshing, aren’t they? That’s cool you wrote poetry during your refreshing times outdoors! There is something about looking around in nature at all we can see of God’s creation that really is inspiring. Blessings to you, Summer!
Oh, Gayle, this is just so good. Yes, a few minutes of stillness makes a difference in our day and in then our week. I am slowly coming back with my Five Minute Friday post.
Love you,
Karen
Thank you, Karen. I’m so glad you liked it! Yes, stillness is so helpful if even for a very short time. I’ve been missing Five Minute Friday. Maybe I’ll still write for this past week’s word – world. But maybe I’ll have to wait till the next one comes. Blessings to you, dear Karen! May God continue to be with you and give you comfort in your grief. Love and hugs to you! xoxo
I try to take up to 20 minutes of quiet and stillness a day. But if not 20, at least 5. It’s so important for the cleansing of our soul to have time to sit in nothing but stillness with God. Thanks for sharing this encouraging post, Gayl. I need it. The practice isn’t always an easy one!
Lisa, that’s great that you try to get 20 minutes a day. But like you said even 5 minutes can be helpful when we don’t have a longer period of time. You are right that it’s not always easy. Sometimes it’s downright hard to set aside that time. But the more we do it the more we desire it. I think that helps us find at least a few minutes. Blessings to you!