Being alone, but not lonely.

There is something to be said for being alone.  In quiet times, God can speak to us in ways that seem unavailable in the busy times.  In quiet times, we sit still and we listen.  In busy times, there is too much noise inside our own heads much less around us.  Quiet moments can create a sense of peace where the Holy Spirit can do His work.  In the quiet times, the God of the Universe can speak to us and commune with us in unfathomable ways.  We hear His voice.  We feel His presence.  We know His love.

Psalm 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

Stillness doesn't mean that we don't have things on our minds.  Stillness means we are allowing God to be our priority.  We are putting those things in their places and allowing Him to be preeminent in our lives.  Being still is so, so important and it leads to such growth.  Being still means we trust God with the outcome.  Being still means we believe God will work things out.  Being still means that we are not trying to work things out for ourselves, but have surrendered to His plan.  Being still is taking a "time out" of life to be with God.

As I look forward to my only daughter starting college in just a couple of weeks, I also look forward to spending some more alone, still time with the Lord.  The busyness of life has sometimes gotten in the way of my time with Him.  I have stopped in my tracks on some of our busier days and wondered where the previous four hours of time went.  Yes, I've been doing some of this life thing wrong.  So have we all.

My daughter is moving away to college this month.  She has such a bright future ahead and she's SO excited!  I know that I will miss her, but I also know that God's got everything in His hands.  I dedicated her to Him long ago.  Now, it's time for her to leave the nest and FLY.

In all the time I'll have on my hands, I will miss her.  I will find myself looking for her to tell her things.  I will call her name and receive no answer.  In those moments, I will be sad I'm sure, but I will be proud of what she is accomplishing.  What a joy that will be! 

Now, what am I going to do while she's gone?  I'm going to be still and spend time with the Lord.  I'm going to serve.  I'm going to pull out my dreams and dust them off and see if there's anything that still lights a fire in my bones, and then I will work on those.  Life for me is not over.  I'm just beginning a new chapter of this book and it's looking pretty good from here.

I'll be lonely sometimes I'm sure, but I'm okay with that.  It means I'm still alive to serve another day.

Be blessed!

G