"This illness is to fatigue,
what a match is to a nuclear bomb.
It's an absurd mischaracterization!"
~Laura Hillenbrand

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May 3, 2007

Quiet Moments With God

Many of you have heard me talk about staying committed to spending time alone with God. For me, it is critical to my spiritual stability. I used to love my early quiet mornings with a hot cup of coffee... getting out my bible, reading scripture and journaling on what God showed me in His word.

But with my recent years of illness, I've experienced a whole new variety of ways this can be accomplished. For a period of time... my quiet moments with God occurred in my Hot Tub. As I soaked sore muscles, I spent many hours crying out to him... listening for him and hearing His soft gentle voice drawing into a deeper love for Him as scripture I'd memorized earlier, replayed in my mind.

Later, I experienced times of quiet as I laid awake at night... listening to a special CD that spoke my heart to God and His heart to me (Kathy Troccoli's "Comfort" CD).

As I found myself lacking in and desiring to worship I began listening to KT's worship CD. But I wasn't able to read or write much (still have many days like this). So, a friend loaned me her Bible tapes and I also started my day listening to God's word.

Then I got an iPod for Christmas! I was able to put all my favorite worship songs on it and even bought a few special songs, we often sing at church, off i-tunes. Though it's not the same as hearing my church family sing and Jeremy lead worship... I can still worship with all of my favorite music any time of day or night, even when I can't make it to church for weekend services!

Recently, I have been starting my day by praying with a couple of friends online and then visiting one of my favorite art groups. It has a thread titled "I am thankful for..." I really enjoy this thread. Most days, I start my day by posting something I am thankful for.

But there are days that I can't think of something to be thankful for. On those days... I go into the thread and read what everyone else has written. As I read about the thankfulness of others... it leads me into my own thankfulness.

Thankfulness leads me to contentment. And contentmet leads me to peace and quietness in my soul.

The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."
Zephaniah 3:17




The painting above is titled "Quiet Country". It comes completely from my imagination. But as I experience peace and quiet in my soul... I imagine it to feel like this painting. I can picture myself sitting here... hearing God's voice singing around me - through the sounds of the breeze in the trees, the bubbling creek, distant sheep and singing birds, and through the smells of fresh grass and wildflowers. And His voice quiets my heart with his love.

I hope, you too, will experience a moment of quiet and peace today, and experience God's voice singing and rejoicing over you.

7 comments:

  1. I can feel the quiet hush inside this blog - you have captured the essence of "Be still, and know that He is God" ...


    I am especially touched by this verse: "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.
    He will take great delight in you,
    he will quiet you with his love,
    he will rejoice over you with singing."
    Zephaniah 3:17

    as it was a verse I memorized in song when I was in my first year of college

    "The Lord your God is in your midst - a warrior who saves!
    He will exult over you with joy, He will renew you in His love; He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy!"

    Not as quieting as the lovely picture you have painted with words (and literally in paint)- but whether we are quiet in His presence or full of energy - He meets us where we are.

    Thank you for being one who reminds me of that :)

    joy - count it all joy...

    kD
    Blueyeduck Studios

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  2. Dear Melanie -- It is so good to hear from you and to be inspired by you again. Your way with words is as beautiful as your way with watercolors and express the comfort of God's grace so well.

    This painting is superb and perfectly depicts that 'peace of the soul' I've experienced when connecting with God.

    God Bless

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  3. kD.... I used to sing a song to these verses on my guitar... written in the late 60's/early 70's by a Christian folk musician in our large church in the Bay Area! It would be fun to compare our songs!

    Thanks for visiting my blog!

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  4. VJ! How wonderful to hear from you!!! I keep intending to make it over to paintdoodles to see some of my old friends... but haven't done it yet!

    It was such an encouragement and joy to get your message!!!

    Love Melanie

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  5. Melanie, the scripture from Zephaniah so reminds me of a mother quieting her newborn child.

    What a wonderful thought...

    * that God takes great delight in us
    * that he quiets us with his love
    * that he rejoices over us with singing...

    Thank you for reminding me today of God's intimate love & tender care for each of us! (...and yes, for me, too!)

    Love in Jesus,

    Patti
    pholkart*blessings

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  6. I don't know how I wound up reading your blog but this entry really ministered to me. Jesus will reward you for your faithfulness to him.

    -Ana, Miami, FL

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  7. I just "happened" upon your site this afternoon (this was a God moment!) as I was looking for a particular Scripture ...
    Zephaniah 3:17 is a special verse for me - a mainstay - as I struggle with depression and physical ailments these past months ....God is SOOOOOO good!
    He has led me to begin a devotional blog and I stand amazed at how He worked all the details out - and the writings He gives to me!
    Thank you for being a blessing in my life today!

    if you get a chance you can check out my blog at http://thisisthedayrejoice.com

    Blessings on you!
    Ruthie

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