A circle of quiet in California after the mom’s conference
Today, my circle will be quite different, in the cold, stark winter day on the opposite coast. But again, it will be in nature–celebrating life with my lovies.
Each of us, each day, is pouring out our lives. And yet, we all know that eventually, if you pour the contents of a pitcher out, it will become empty, unless it is refilled.
I poured out in Dallas–not perfectly, but all that I had.
And so today, I am in Raleigh, North Carolina, hiding, sequestered away with Sarah and a sweet friend, looking out on the winter trees, afrost with a bit of snow and cold,
sitting in my red nightgown,
sipping Yorkshire Gold tea and listening to soft, instrumental music.
I am reading Circle of Quiet and pulling away, so that I may have something more to give next weekend at one more mom’s conference.
Something does not come out of nothing (unless of course you are the Creator of the world who spoke light out of darkness).
And so I know that each day, I must pull away to refill, in order to be sure there is something of substance from which others may draw.
Here is what I read today that is a balm and reality to my own day …
“We are four generations under one roof this summer, from infant Charlotte to almost-ninety Great-grandmother. A lot of the time it is twelve, and even more to feed. Cooking is the only part of housekeeping I manage with any grace; it’s something like writing a book: you look in the refrigerator and see what’s there, choose all the ingredients you need, and a few your husband thinks you don’t need, and put them all together to concoct a dish. Vacuum cleaners are simply something more for me to trip over; and a kitchen floor, no matter how grubby, looks better before I wax it. The sight of a meal’s worth of dirty dishes, pots, and pans makes me want to run in the other direction.
Every so often I need OUT; something will throw me into total disproportion, and I have to get away from everybody — away from all these people I love most in the world — in order to regain a sense of proportion.
I like hanging sheets on lines strung under the apple trees — the birds like it, too. I enjoy going out to the incinerator after dark and watching the flames; my bad feelings burn away with the trash. But the house is still visible, and I can hear the sounds from within; often I need to get away completely, if only for a few minutes. My special place is a small brook in a green glade, a circle of quiet from which there is no visible sign of human beings. There’s a natural stone bridge over the brook, and I sit there, dangling my legs and looking through the foliage at the sky reflected in the water, and things slowly come back into perspective. If the insects are biting me — and they usually are; no place is quite perfect — I use the pliable branch of a shad-blow tree as a fan. The brook wanders through a tunnel of foliage, and the birds sing more sweetly there than anywhere else, or perhaps it is just that when I am at the brook I have time to be aware of them, and I move slowly into a kind of peace that is marvelous, “annihilating all that’s made to a green thought in a green shade.”
If I sit for a while, then impatience, crossness, frustration, are indeed annihilated, and my sense of humor returns.”
~Madeleine L’Engle
For me, if I sit for a while, quietly, just listening to my music, reading my Bible, quietly, quietly, alone and rest–today is my sabbath day–then the assurance that He is in control, that my life is held and that all the fears and “gnats swarming around my head” are not a real threat in my life, then I will have enough to keep going and truth and beauty to keep giving.
This is harder to come by in some seasons–seasons of babes and teens when someone needs me all the time–but if I look for this time to restore, I know all will be more at peace as I have been a mom who took time to pull in to a center of quiet.
“Peace be with you today, the Lord is near.”
And yes, in time, I will get back to mentoring Monday–but today, I will keep my priorities in order so that my soul will stay alive.
Praying for your refreshment and looking forward with a prepared heart for the fruit the Lord will bear through you this weekend…I will be there and can’t wait!
Hugs and blessings of quietness,
Mariel
Thank you for the pouring out you did here in Dallas. I so very much needed it!!! May you be blessed in you circle of quiet.
Enjoy!
THANK YOU for pouring out in Dallas. I was there. In the 17+ yrs. of homeschooling, I’d finally seen you in person and I was completely filled to the brim with encouragement and fuel for the journey. I am praying that your circle of quiet will, indeed, fill you to the brim again. You are loved.
I pray rest and peace for you today. I am so grateful for your obedience to God and your willingness to be His vessel which is such a blessing to me and other Moms. Thank you for pouring out what He’s given you to us in Dallas. As a slightly overwhelmed Mama to a precious two-year-old it was a balm to my spirit and I left so encouraged and ready to continue on in this life-work.
May you find rest and refreshment today. I’ve coined a new phrase for me. Unplug & Recharge. I’ve learned I need a day once a week to “unplug” from my laptop, iPod, internet & to “recharge” in the quiet, God’s Word, time with my family, etc. Enjoy your day.
What a wonderful idea…I usually only “unplug” when on vacation but I love your idea of doing it weekly. I think I will give it a try. Thank you for sharing!
What a great idea!!
Yes, A Circle of Quiet, this is what I need today. Thank you Sally!
Praying for your refreshment. Thank you for the pouring out in Dallas, I was there and it was a pivotal weekend in my life. May the Lord bless you richly!
That has seemed to be so few and far between for 2 decades til often my well is muddy. Not knowing how to truly refresh, refill….and lacking the energy to make it happen …much…but looking for what He may have around the corner.
Bless those who taught you that it wasn’t selfish to stop and regroup. Bless those who hold down the fort and make it possible….
One of my favorite books for refreshing wisdom. Definitely a “we read to know we’re not alone” book.
however can you pour into us if you don’t have this soul restoring time… and however can we pour into our little ones without some soul restoring time as well.
As I sat in my bed this morning, reading Desperate and drinking English Breakfast tea, I thought of you, your family and friends. I thought of how weary you all must be. Thank you for your time and talents in Dallas, for pouring it out. I pray for you all and hope for days of rest and recovery.
Two weeks ago my friend and I loaded up in her husband’s truck and hit the back roads to go Antiquing. I even ended up at my first auction!
After a day of Mexican food and browsing stores who sold cheap burlap, I came home a different person. My husband said, “You are so perky and alive!”
Ha! It’s so good to take the daily time and every once in awile take an entire day to be refreshed. Gonna check out the book you mentioned today!
I pray the the Lord refreshes and refills you today in your Circle of Quiet. I am so very grateful for your ministry, and your willingness to give your all to what the Lord has called you to do! Dallas WAS perfect, and any perceived imperfections you might feel only makes you more relatable as you share your heart and your message! Your conferences are lifechanging, even after 15 years! May the Lord bless you, and all of your dear ones
You are a wise woman with a big heart who shares so much of yourself. Thank you for sharing how you take care of ‘you’ too.
My “circle of quiet” came in an unexpected way today. I didn’t turn on the computer all day until this evening after the kids went to bed (not even a “quick” check in the morning as I am known to do). I found that late in the afternoon, after the whole house had been cleaned and the kids had done their school work, we all went outside – the kids to play in the “warm” weather (still snowy, but warmer today) and I sat in a chair in the garage to watch the kids, sip tea, and read a bit. It was so refreshing after a good morning of work. Today I really felt like I was “all there” with my kids and my responsibilities of house keeping. And I kept thinking, why don’t I do this everyday??!!
I hope you were able to refresh well. You are an inspiration.
yes and amen
Just reading this made me take a deep breath, one I think I’ve been holding since Friday! Thank you for the wisdom this is.
May you feel refreshed in The Lord these days. Thank you so very much for pouring out yourself in Dallas. While you may not feel it was perfect, just know that it was so very much what I needed to hear – over and over again. God bless your rest and your work!
Sally, I thank the Lord for your heart. You are beautiful and your ministry to moms is a blessing and a mercy! I wish I could tell you all the ways you’ve brought Him glory through what you do but this comment form won’t let me write it all. So I will say that every day I seek as I never sought before, I love His word as I have never loved it before, and I see His gifts as I’ve never seen them before…you taught me where, how and why to love this amazing God of the universe through your ministry! Thank you for coming to Dallas. Praying for your refreshment and peace. Praising Him for His faithfulness through your testimony. You are a precious, dear lady!
I am so thankful that you teach us by example to keep our priorities straight! It is from order that we can keep order! Your stories help inspire me to stay focused on who I am and why I’m here! Thank you again for sharing yourselves with us!