For a while now, I've been aware that I've needed to slow life down a bit. Even as a part-time illustrator/housewife, I've noticed that my days can get pretty packed and that it's easy not to make time to say hi to God.I decided a while back that there were a few simple steps I could take to get nearer where I wanted to be. Firstly, I asked Andy to jiggle my computer so that accessing the internet and email were impossible (I use his machine in the evenings for bits like this!) I also decided to stop leaping up every time the phone rang and began to let the answer phone take messages. I've also bought a book of daily readings that I hope will encourage me to attempt to connect with God every now and then.
At Greenbelt this year, there was a surprising emphasis on slowing down (particularly with regards to re-claiming the Sabbath). One talk in particular really stuck with me, so I downloaded it to use as the basis of our discussion. (It's by American Youth Worker Mark Yaconelli, son of Mike).
It was really interesting to hear everyone's views on the topic. Why do we find slowing down so hard to do? What do other people do to make time for God in the busyness of daily life? And how exactly do you have a day of rest when you have family and church commitments?
I know we only scratched the surface tonight, so do feel free to keep the discussion going here if you'd like to.
5 comments:
Tim has come home and told me all about the meeting, and it sounded fantastic and I wish I could have been there - I struggle a lot with the whole 'finding time for God and for rest' issue as a very busy mum of three children!
The only contribution I have to the discussion at the moment (it's late and I have been getting my head round Latin!) is a quote I read on an online community I am a member of recently, which really spoke to me, enough that I copied it down to remember it!
Yesterday is so far in the past I can't see it;
tomorrow is too distant in the future to be seen.
So I'll take a good look at what I can see - today.
Reading '...we worry about the future, we regret what's happened in the past and we miss what's happening right here, right now' reminded me of the above - it is useful to stop and think about that when the busyness means life seems to be passing me by!
Many thanks for an interesting evening, Susie. Food for thought and action (or not action!).
I mentioned St Pixels - see
http://www.stpixels.com
and Crewe Blog - see
http://www.crewe.tv/
Is this the Greenbelt Talk you mentioned:
Failure, frustration and loss: the common person's path to holiness
Mark Yaconelli 2007?
Looking down the list
http://greenbelt.org.uk/shop/talks/?year=2007
There are some superb talks. Graham Cray & Dave Tomlinson feature... sounds good to me!
Ooh, sounds like we might get a good crowd along to Greenbelt next summer!
I'll check which Mark Y talk it was I used tonight and get back to you. I've very helpfully re-named it.
Really like the bit on SofaChurch on The Crewe Blog. That was really exciting to see. Do encourage your friend to come along if he'd (she'd?) feel comfortable with a bunch of Bible bashers. ;o)
Helen - top baking, as usual! I get the impression you're one of those 'I don't know how she does it' women that I really admire.
You're right - the key is to live in the present. But it's so hard.
I think for me, (shamefully) it comes down to not really trusting that God can do a better job of things than I can. I don't want to give him my worries and let go - I'm much more comfortable worrying and planning and making sure all bases are covered.
It must be a bit to do with personality type too, mustn't it? I've never been someone to 'wing it'. Like Mike, I'm the one at the station at 9am for the 10am train.
Hehe - I used to be the one at the station at 9am for the 10am train - I have always hated being late for anything (and it still drives me mad when other people aren't on time!) - but since the children came along I have turned into one of those harrassed people who is always late for everything and I don't seem to be able to do anything about it - it is the single most frustrating thing about having so many children ;-)
"Helen - top baking, as usual! I get the impression you're one of those 'I don't know how she does it' women that I really admire."
Thank you very much - but I don't think I fall into that category at all! I seem to be perpetually rushed, panicking, and failing to meet my own standards... that is why yesterday evening's meeting sounded so pertinent for me - I know I have my priorities skewed and that meeting God's standards - not mine, or Tim's, or anyone else's - are actually what matters.
Hmmmm... lots to think about!
Thanks for Thursday evening Susie.
I enjoyed listening to the discussions about slowing down.Sometimes life can feel a bit "Stop the world I want to get off" what with all the things we have to cram into our daily lives.
It was nice just to think about stepping back for a moment and taking notice of the wonders of God.
This morning at church the preacher was almost following on this theme of taking time out and slowing down.She talked about putting aside time for Spiritual rest and that was simply sitting with God and letting him speak,listening for that still small voice of calm.
I know I need to spend more time and just let God be my sanctuary for calm and my friend.
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