Finding Silence

I've been overwhelmed with the noise of life. There is always something to think about, to prepare for, to clean up, to take charge of, to listen to, to be on time to, to mend and heal...There is always something to make noise in my life.

I like noise to an extent, I like crickets and frogs at night, I like the sound of my daughters giggles, the sound of dinner being made and plenty of other things to bring good feelings to a tired body and mind.

Silence is one thing that humans struggle with. We like action films, active sports, parties full of people, background music, podcasts, etc... we like things to be happening, it makes us feel accomplished, and brings "happiness" to our lives long enough to make us want more noise. Essentially we think that noise = happiness.

William Penn said... "True silence...is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment." 

I think we have a hard time understanding true silence because we look for it in the wrong places. We think zen, or meditation. We think new age music and candle light. Or maybe we think of complete silence and maybe a dark room, but have a brain that won't shut down or focus. When we get to the point where our brain is no longer under our control to turn it off when it's time to sleep or mediate we are in grave danger.

Most people wear many different hats. I know I do...
I am a:
Mother to a toddler
Wife
Daughter to my parents and my husbands parents
Lawnmower, dishwasher, laundry doer, household CEO
Grocery shopper, mealer planner, and maker
Direct Sales Consultant for Usborne Books & More
Sporadic Blogger
Even more sporadic seller of crafts
church and Bible study participant
Friend
Gift buyer and wrapper
animal feeder
bill payer, mail getter,
etc...

So when I lay down at night I understand the meaning of " I just can't get my brain to slow down". I make lists that never seem to hold all of the information, I work all day but never finish the work, and by the end of the day there is still plenty to remember and plan for.

When I am in charge of the day I have a lot to plan, do, and control, when night rolls around I can be frazzled, worn out, and grumpy, BUT, when God is in charge of my day, I go about what I feel is necessary and turn when God chooses a different path for the day. When night rolls around I have accomplished everything I needed to.

The inability to turn off your brain at night or even put it in order during the day is a lack of trust in God. You are worried you will forget something important. You are worried that you won't be able to sleep and you'll be too tired tomorrow. You are worried that you've let someone down today because you didn't get everything done on your list. You are worried that you won't have enough time tomorrow to do all the urgent stuff and then what about all the other stuff?

Phil. 4:19 "And my God will supply EVERY need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

First off, we need to recognize our needs. I need God, I am dependent on God, I need food, sleep, and water to survive, I need to trust in God, and give him glory. Anything past that is not a requirement for the day. So when I worry about keeping other people happy, and checking things off my list I am bringing unneccesary hardship into my life. Yes we have responsibilities in life, yes we have children to take care and jobs to clock into, but those fall under trusting in God and giving him glory. Going to work with a smile on your face and doing your best is giving glory to God. Making food for our family, and hugging scraps and bruises fall under giving God glory. Caring for what God has put into my possession with a happy heart and good attitude is glorify God. Living up to other's excpectations, keeping up with the latest craze at work, fashion, or child training is not. Adding pile upon pile of work, worry, and noise is not pleasing to God, or healthy for you.

I think William Penn founder of the Quaker lifestyle has some good points to consider...
Principles of living a simple life:
1) Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status
2) reject anything that is producing an addiction in you
3) develop a habit of giving things away - de accumulate
4) refuse to be propagandised by the custodians of modern gadgetry.
5) learn to enjoy things without owning them.
6) develop a deeper appreciation for the creation.  (and the Creator I would have to add) 
7) Look with a healthy skepticism at all 'buy now, pay later' schemes
8) obey Jesus' injunction about plain, honest, speech
9) Reject anything that will breed oppression of others.
10) Shun whatever would distract you from your main goal.

I think you could take some of these the wrong way in life, but you could also use them to benefit yourself in the area of "noisy living".

What are going to do today to Find Silence?

Sarah