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.
