June 8, 2015

Practicing Peace... Waking Up to the Quiet Places Before All of the Noise Rushes In!


I am in a season of Slow... of Quiet... of Empty Nests and non-Bossy Days, and yet - without being intentional, it is still oh so easy to just push through to whatever is next --to whatever is loudest. 

You know how it is. 
I know you know... for we all fall for the hectic rhythm of living from time to time. 

But I am (re)learning that we must Practice Peace and you have heard it here a thousand times... how it just takes but a moment to turn our hearts towards Him, and we find Him gloriously waiting for us.


Yes. This...


So as my heart yearns for wide open spaces and a bit more intentional seeking and finding... I carry my cup and my journal outside to my meeting place with Him on our patio and I breathe in deep and slow... awakening my senses to His Presence... training my ears to hear...

And I begin...

Inhale deep... Exhale slow...
  And there You are!



Thank You, Lord, for Quiet --even amidst the Noise.
  For tuning my ears to listen...
    For hearing wind through leaves
    and chimes gently dancing...
      For sprinklers' songs' on early June mornings
        and birds' adding melody and verse,
          that awaken my longings.

Thank You for faint sounds of traffic below
and children waking to summertime
  Reminding me that I am in this world, yes...
    But when I slow to see, I seek and I find... 
      and I see that You are all around me...      
        in my heart, and on my mind.



The New Blooms Bursting Pastel on Hydrangeas
  and the Persistence of Yellow in the Roses
    that just Keep on Budding Anew...

For the way that I feel You close
  as the morning sun filters through the trees
    and first gently warms my skin and alters my view...

For all the small wonders
  --the ways You are here that,
       when busy and rushing,
         I tend to miss altogether!

Yes --thank You for Slow and for Quiet...
  even if only for the first few moments of my waking hour...

For in the Silence, You refresh... and revive...
  ...and You refill me with Your power.



May we Practice Peace
  and find it is like the Dandelion
    sowing seeds and hope wherever we go
      and wherever we run...

And like the persistence of yellow,
  may Peace Flourish and Bloom
    in the most Unexpected Places,
      Basking with us in the Sun!





P.S.  I'm linking up with these lovely writers:

The Community over at #SmallWonders 

Laura Boggess over at #ChasingTheBlueFlower
Karen Deschenes Courcy for #TuesdayatTen

Holly Barrett for #TestimonyTuesday


Kelly Balarie for #RaRaLinkUp

* The Persistence of Yellow by Monique Duval is a gorgeous little book of verse and art and I found myself paging through it this weekend, finding peace and hope and inspiration! 

24 comments :

  1. Love this so much friend! I too want to find time for those moments of quiet especially in this crazy bustling busy world. Your words are so poetic....and I love how they point to God's handiwork. Children awaking to summertime...oh yes! In just two short weeks, I will be heading to one of my favorite continuing education events; the Lutheran Academy of the Rockies which is held outside of Estes Park, CO. This will be my fifth summer attending this great event. I love it oh so much because it causes me to slow down, breathe, and just take it all in. You have to drive five miles or all the way into Estes if you want cell service. I often carry it with me for pictures and as my watch, but no access to Facebook, my work or personnel email, etc....so so glorious! I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. That sounds divine, my friend, and I am so thrilled that you get to go and soak it all in!

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  2. I liked your idea of *practicing* peace. I've always been a bit intrigued by the verse that encourages us to pursue peace. I've often thought that peace is something that would come to me and just sorta wash over me without any effort on my part. But, in this crazy world, we often have to be intentional about seeking peace - and diligent in fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author of that Peace!

    GOD BLESS!

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    1. And there it is... that word again... Intentional! We simply must be intentional... and peace and living in peace and creating an atmosphere of peace --it really does all take practice! So glad you stopped by, Sharon!

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  3. What a beautiful and gentle meditation/poetry/worship!!

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  4. Oh, friend, what a treat to get to hear your voice! I could feel my heart slow with each syllable. Maybe you should record a relaxation script ;). Life is busy here, but now that we have our boy graduated, I hope it slows down. Of course, there is much coming up the pike, moving him to college and all that, but I want to enjoy these next few weeks of slow--as you say, practice being deliberate with my time. Thanks for that reminder, Karrilee. Blessed by my visit here this morning. ((((hugs))))

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    1. Funny Laura... I believe a few of us said that same thing to YOU at Jumping Tandem! (About recording a relaxation script!) ;) I remember well the busy post-grad/last summer home/off to college season! It goes by so quickly... filled with so many 'lasts'... drink it all in, my friend! And practice, practice, practice!

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  5. Beautiful. Sometimes we just need to slow down and get our heads out of our computers, phones and tvs. De-noise is the word that comes up.

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  6. Aahhh... I love this as well. Getting outside and breathing in the fresh air, feeling the fresh breeze and taking in the sounds of nature does some great stuff for finding His peace! Thanks for this reminder and the beautiful pics! (Stopping by from #RaRaLinkup)

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    1. Thanks so much for popping on over Rachel! Being outside and breathing in slow... it's amazing how it doesn't take much time to refocus and be refilled! Blessings!

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  7. Peace practicing is hard work. Sounds silly, but true. Thanks for bringing a few minutes of worship and quiet into my life today.

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    1. It IS hard work! It is something we have to do on purpose... so thankful you stopped by today, Mary!

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  8. I'm loving the blooming hydrangeas right outside my door. They are one of my favorites. I find the Spring and Summer months full of hope and peace as God brings so much beauty to life. Everywhere you look, His fingerprint is left behind for us to embrace; to give thanks.

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    1. Oh my friend... no surprise there - Hydrangeas are my favorite as well! I have the 'regular' kind and the lace caps... so pretty!

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  9. Practice peace - what a great way to put it. I'm practicing today as my children are at a friend's house and I'm afraid I do hear a peaceful nap calling my name . . . :)

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    1. Ah I hope you did get a little peaceful nap, Kelly! Sometimes that is the best way to ensure peace! ;) Thankful you had an opportunity for it!

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  10. Just beautiful and peaceful to read your words...thank you, Karrilee :-)

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    1. Thanks so much Dolly! That means something, coming from you, my friend! You always extend such peace and grace!

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  11. Love the yellow rose image and the "Persistence of Yellow"! The poem is inspiring as well! Thanks for sharing!!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Barbara! I am in love with those roses! Glad you enjoyed the image as well!

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  12. So beautiful. So poetic. The primary way I commune with God is through nature so this post spoke right to this worshipper a heart. Even now while I'll sitting for 30 minutes trapped in the car pick up line at my children's school, I seek to FIND peace. To pursue peace. I can hear at least 4 different types of bird calls, I feel a light breeze on my face and the sun radiant and hot tingling the skin on my shoulder. Oh to SIT in His presence and bask in the beauty of His holiness. What a delight to commune with Him.

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    1. Aaah yes... and I am now sitting there right there with you! Basking in His Presence! It's just the best, isn't it? I can always spot a kindred worship heart! So glad that you stopped by!

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Thanks so much for stopping by! I always love to hear your thoughts! Remember to: Speak Life - Be Love - Shine On!
~Karrilee~

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