Since being back in the United States, I have been busy. And I love it! I love having full and productive days that leave me feeling accomplished. I love having the opportunity to earn money and invest in the lives of others. But the more I pay attention to the lifestyle of those around me, the more I realize how normal this lifestyle of go, go, go, is to most Americans and how rare it is to just slow down.
The parents of the little kids at my daycare often rush their kiddos out the door when they come to pick them up. My friends have band and sports and work and school and church. My coworkers have late-night get-togethers with their friends after a late workday.
But are we intentional?
Do we notice the little reasons to smile throughout each and every day?
Are we able to just…slow down?
Time Waits for No Man…But it Doesn’t Have to Own Man
When I was little, my family had a beautiful grandfather clock near our fireplace. I used to listen to the soft ticking of the hands and wonder at the reality that time will never slow down.
Time is a strange thing.
In many ways, it is all in our heads. It is a structure by which we live to avoid mass chaos. But Americans are chained to it. We must be to work on time. We must get so much done in so much time. If there isn’t enough time in a day, well…do the work faster!
We’re so focused on checking off boxes on our to-do-lists that we miss out on many of the days’ little graces.
One of my favorite things to do in West Africa was watch the sun rise and set. I love God’s beautiful sky. It is wonderfully overwhelming to glance up and be always and forever surprised; His sky is beautiful, and it is never just alike the day before. It is always changing. He paints that breathtaking gift for us every day and how often do we take the time to notice?
Several weeks ago, while driving home from work one day, I was noticing how beautiful a particular sunset was and was saddened to realize that no one around me seemed to notice. In fact, no one even glanced up at the sky.
Friends, the sky is glorious.
I know sometimes it is hard to find reasons to smile throughout the day. But don’t miss the breathtaking gift your Father paints for every morning and evening.
A blessing He gives so that you have a reason to smile.
A reason to glorify Him and praise His name.
Slow down.
Don’t Rush Jesus
“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He [Jesus] departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed.” – Mark 1:35
Because of my current schedule, finding “Jesus time” was a struggle when we first moved to the US. I still spent time with God, but I only gave myself a small block of time each morning.
But you can’t rush Jesus.
And trust me, if you try, it will fail.
Because that is putting God in a box and saying, “I will love you and I will serve you and I will worship you, but only on my schedule.” And ya know what? God doesn’t live according to our schedule.
A couple weeks ago I was doing my quiet times and I got so absorbed in what I was reading that I completely forgot about what time it was. When I finally glanced at my watch, I panicked.
How was I going to get everything done now?
My reaction to a beautiful time with Jesus was panic. And, as my lovely mentor recently told me, “Time with Jesus shouldn’t stress you out unless He’s convicting you of, or challenging you to, something you’ve been ignoring.”
That day turned out to be one of the most rewarding and lovely days I had experienced since being back in the States. So much so, in fact, that I have started consistently clearing out the whole first half of my morning just for Jesus.
Because I can’t truly seek Him in every moment if I am always rushing to the next thing.
I need to learn to be still.
“Hurry is the great enemy of the spiritual life in our day. You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.” – Dallas Willard
Slow down.
Learn to Listen for the Silence
“Silence is a profound melody, for those who can hear it above all the noise.” – Socrates
I often feel closest to God in the silence. When I’m alone in His breathtaking creation…just me and Him. It is in those moments that I hear His voice the clearest…and that I finally get my own thoughts and worries and questions to slow down. Somehow, it feels like time stops and all that matters in the world is His love for me and His plans and His glory.
Silence is beautiful.
I know America hates silence. I know. Someone always must fill the empty space whenever there are awkward pauses after deep questions in church or Sunday school. Make a dumb guess! At least this uncomfortable feeling will go away! We play music when studying or watch movies when resting.
Why is it so hard to merely stop and listen?
Is it possible we miss out on wonderful adventures and memories God had planned for our lives because we were willing to go but we weren’t willing to slow down enough to listen?
Jesus was the perfect example of seeking solitude and silence when praying. Luke 5:16 says He often went to desolate or lonely places to pray.
If Jesus sought the Father in the quiet places…maybe, just maybe, we should too.
Take time to seek the silence.
Slow down.
Remember Flowers Will Fade and the Sun Will Always Set
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” –Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
In this life, everything has a season. Adventures, emotions, opportunities…people.
Just as flowers fade and the sun sets…people die.
People are on this earth for a season. They come and they go. Even the dearest of friends will take their last breath one day. As someone who has had to say a lot of see-ya-later’s’ in life…I know this is a hard truth to acknowledge. But it is truth, nonetheless.
Life is short.
Don’t waste the time you have.
Don’t miss out on all the beautiful, precious memories you could make, full of giggles and silly fears on spontaneous adventures. I know your family annoys you sometimes. I know you and your friends get into arguments. But don’t miss out on today’s sunshine and laughter and tears.
Because those moments are precious.
Every day has a new story to tell.
Don’t miss out.
Slow down.
All Life’s Little Graces
I keep a journal for random quotes, ponderings, and life lessons as I live this messy thing called life. Several months ago I started writing down three praises to Jesus every evening. Three ways I saw His hand at work in my day. Three little blessings He graced the day with to make me smile.
I’m almost embarrassed to admit that, at first, it was hard to think of three things…sometimes even two. But after a few weeks I had a hard time narrowing it down to just the three! The truth is, I was too busied and rushed to notice the little graces all around me. The precious little moments of peace, the sunshine glittering in brilliant rays in the sky, the beautiful song the birdies sing every morning and evening without fail.
Those are things that make me smile.
Those are God’s little graces in my life.
What are yours?
Don’t miss life’s little graces, friend.
Slow down.
Love this reminder; beautiful post, Rue. 🥰
Thank you, Pearl!
You hit it head on, Rue. Silence, time, the frantic rush of daily life….it consumes us too much so this is a fantastic and well needed reminder. 🙂
Thank you, friend! Yes, it certainly is a growing process for all of us <3
Love it so much rue!!! A reminder I definitely needed!<3 thank ya girlie!
Eyy, I’m so glad it was a timely reminder!! <3
This was beautiful and such a lovely reminder! I love the “to everything there is a time” passage in Ecclesiastes. I’ve been working on taking the time to notice the little blessings in life more often, and it’s made me feel so much more grateful and so much closer to God <3
I agree with everything you said! When one does take the time to slow down it is so wonderfully worth it! <3
This was so beautiful Rue. Thanks for the reminder friend <3
Aw, thank you, friend!
Aaa, that song!!
Such a wonderful post, Rue! <3
Isn’t the song absolutely beautiful? I love JJ Heller’s music <3
Thank you!
“I have so much to do that I must spend the first three hours in prayer.” – Martin Luther
This was lovely, Rue. <3
That’s a beautiful quote <3
” . . . Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.” The quote that came to mind when I started reading your piece. I smiled when I saw you’d included it from Willard. Breathe deeply God’s grace for as many moments as He gives life. And then step into the next life with abundant praise on my lips to my Creator-Redeemer. Thank you for this rich and beautiful reminder to be still and grow deeper in Who He is and what He has done for me.
Aw, that’s so sweet! <3
This came at just the right time! Thank you <3
Oh, I’m so very glad!
I really needed this. I tend to want to fill every last moment and take up all the space in my brain. But this was the perfect reminder. Thank you!
I am the same way. But I am learning that we cannot enjoy the hours we have if we do not have the energy and health to do so! So, truthfully, constantly pushing ourselves is wasting time! I am so glad it was a good reminder for you <3
Ohh. . . this post was so lovely. I really needed this ~ especially the part about not rushing Jesus and taking time to listen. <3 Thank you, for this, Rue! (:
Oh I’m so glad, friend! Thank you for reading it and sharing your heart-thoughts on the topic <3
Girl I needed this <3
Oh! Friend, it makes my heart so happy to hear that Jesus used my words to encourage or remind you of something *hugs* <3
This was such a good post, Rue! You’re right, Americans are often soooo busy it can be hard to slow down and notice the little things. <3 (I should keep a gratitude journal to Jesus, too ~ that's a lovely idea.)
Aw, thank you, my friend! (Yesss you should start one! They’re amazing! <3)
Rue, this blog means so much to me. There was a woman at our church who had an extremely debilitating illness, yet she was a faithful prayer warrior. She also had a blog and would post a song at the end of it. She encouraged those she loved, and was a shining example for the Lord, never complaining. Last year she went home to heaven, and now God has given me the joy of reading your blog. Thank you for your posts. 💛
Thank you for trusting me with your heart-thoughts, Lily *big hugsss* that is a truly beautiful story and I am so dearly honored to be able to bless you in any way through this blog. <3
Thank you , Rue, this was lovely.
Yesterday I was grumbling about all the lights being red on the way to work. But then I said out loud… “but, I’m thankful I work with children.” Once that came out of my mouth, a whole list of other blessings followed, y’know?
God bless you, you are in my prayers. <3
Oh! I love this, Desiree! Thank you so much for sharing <3 Isn't it so priceless when we take the time to just thank Him? You are in my prayers as well, friend. *hugs*
Oh, Rue, this is such a good reminder. This post made me realize how much I’ve been struggling with this lately, and I didn’t even realise it before (I’ve been too busy). Thank you so much for this<3
I’m sorry it took me so long to get to this, friend! I hope you’ve been able to “slow down” some since you last commented, but either way I am very glad to hear that this article was a good reminder and encouragement to you <3
I thought I’d pop onto your blog for moment, and I’m so glad I did. I really needed this. I’ve been feeling more discouraged lately, and I think all the rush is a factor. I’m just trying to fit everything in and check off all the boxes that sometimes I don’t have time to relax and read what I want, spend time with my siblings, or just sit in silence and talk to God. I’m the kind of person who likes lists and plans, but sometimes I forget that checking off the boxes isn’t everything to life. So what if I miss a day of violin practice because I instead spent time reading to my little brothers? So what if I never get to writing because I chat and laugh with my sisters? A big part of time management is priorities, and that’s something I’ve been trying to work on. Some days have to be busy, but we shouldn’t live like that. This article was a big help in trying to understand why I feel discouraged and rushed. Thank you, Rue. <3
Oh, Chloe, it’s so hard isn’t it? With all of the little things that happen in a day and the small responsibilities that start to add up. You are 100% right that priorities play a huge role in time management. I’m so glad this article offered some good reminders for you! I’m praying you find time to slow down and rest in Him, friend. <3
Rue, how – how do you do this?
This, all of this, is beautiful!
And I’m quite afraid for an honest answer.
But I’m amazed and so grateful —
Grateful God can do this through you:
So grateful you let Him.
Grateful He led me to your blog
And grateful He led us both to Him.
And I needed this, thank you:
I’ve recently been contemplating the question of whether one can spend too much time with God that it’s irresponsible. Hearing other’s opinions of experience is so reassuring. In this messy life, you have such a refreshing perspective, Rue!
I had read your article on the Rebelution website, and just knew I MUST come here! I’ve read around a tad, and I have to say you are such an inspiration, Rue!
Truly, truly beautiful. As the sunset. : )
Thank you for your kind and encouraging words, Noah. Though, certainly yet not I but through Christ in me, I can assure you of that much 😉
I am very glad to hear that God led you to this at a time when you needed it and that it provided you with a new perspective. I would encourage you that you can never spend too much time with your Creator, but certainly the more you spend with Him the more you will sense His calling on your life to take that love you have for Him and let it overflow in the areas of life you are able to touch. Resting in Him does not mean surrendering to a life of idleness (far from it!), but, rather, surrendering to a life of complete earthly abandon and sacrifice for a greater purpose and value (which certainly requires seeking moments of peace and meditating on His word). I can hear that passion in your words and I hope and pray you don’t lose it!
Rue, I’ve been asking that question for months! I read and listen to a good deal of experienced Christians, but I’ve never found an answer so clear, and so true. Thank you. I’ve had some vague ideas to that point, but it’s as if you distilled and concentrated them in a paragraph. You have a way with words Rue, that astounds me, but even more so your wisdom, clearly the product of a radiant connection with your Creator, that’s articulated here.
The idea of a love so full from a cultivated relationship with God, that it spills over, and that the rest of your life is the overflow of that love, is so refreshingly beautiful and so real. You sacrifice busyness but you’re not idle. Your philosophies are the most perfect example of balance from a biblical perspective. Balance seems to always evade my efforts, and those of the people I know, and the lives of those I learn from – it’s one the most complex topics to grasp and explain, yet here I have found answers, real answers, that are actually making a difference.
Rue, I pray that as a writer (I’m not a writer, though I would love to be), you don’t struggle with doubting how God uses your words to impact people. My relationship with Jesus as it stands is almost completely structured and motivated by your writing – I would never be who I am without your influence. And it’s so powerful, it’s spilling over into my friends’ lives as well and we’re growing together. It’s so beautiful and I owe so much to you and your contagious faith.
Don’t stop.
Don’t stop believing that your efforts to share your faith and wisdom will make a difference.
I can only hope that I can live to be as good at edifying and encouraging as you have been for me and so many others. 😊
Thank you.
This post is very informative and well-written. I liked reading it and gained a lot from it.
Thank you very much, Rowena! I appreciate your saying that and I’m so glad you enjoyed it!