"The quest for a contemplative life can actually be self-absorbed, focused on my quiet and me. If we love people and have the power to help, then we are going to be busy. Learning to pray doesn't offer us a less busy life; it offers us a less busy heart. In the midst of outer busyness we can develop an inner quiet. Because we are less hectic on the inside, we have a greater capacity to love...and thus to be busy, which in turn drives us even more into a life of prayer. By spending time with our Father in prayer, we integrate our lives with his, with what he is doing in us. Our lives become more coherent. They feel calmer, more ordered, even in the midst of confusion and pressure."
By Paul E. Miller. "A Praying Life"
An excerpt from a book I started today. (Thank you Lou for the recommendation). This resonated with me...as I sat for the first time all week to have a real quiet meaningful time by myself with God. I planned it out and waited for the clock to strike to have the kiddos sit in front of the T.V. (with no apology on my part), and let the house know I was going to have this time.
Oh I need the time. For me to be alone and tend to my soul with God. But I love what this quote offered me in this season of great need around me. That if we love others and have the power to help, we will be busy, although for me, I do like the word, "full". It isn't about working ourselves out of our job descriptions, instead embracing all that we have in front of us with a fullness of heart.
But last week was busy....appointments, play times, dinner times, school, and phone calls scheduling and making sure those people in our life are loved.
But I would like a less "busy heart." I believe a big part of that (for me) comes from the time I have alone to refuel. I think from that would spring an "inner quiet." I long to learn how to pray and more than that which is the core of this book, to know God.
So it is both: embracing this full season with a full heart.
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