We are not a quiet family volume-wise. Our kids sing at the top of their lungs, talk a lot, play multiple instruments, tap dance, and play and wrestle exuberantly. We do life loudly, and at the moment, I'm adjusting to having five of our six children living back home again after some of them have been living away independently.
As a mum of a larger-than-average family, I am very familiar with this amount of noise and what looks like chaos on a regular basis. However, I know that I do need to make time to switch off the noise so I can hear myself think, refuel, and be able to listen to God speaking.
Most of us know that getting away from the noise seems like a good idea, but actually, it can be pretty challenging to do. Over the years, I've learned that as I value that quiet and alone time with God, He'll always make it possible even if, when the kids were babies, it was in the middle of the night after feeding, taking that half an hour when my husband took everyone to the park, me going for a run or closing the door to my room and taking some time out.
I've grown to value those times away from the noise as it allows me to relax, pray, and reassess my priorities. I think in the quiet about my dreams and what I'm believing for and take the opportunity to check in on my heart's attitude and what I have been thinking about. I hear from God in the quiet and silence away from the noise.
Jesus also regularly came away from the crowds and needs of those around him and the disciples would often wake up in the morning and not be able to find Him. They would search and finally discover Jesus praying in a quiet, secluded place in the early morning stillness. (Mark 1:32:39)
I encourage you to implement into your schedule, the example Jesus set for us. Take time just to sit, pray and rest from the frenetic, hectic world that Jesus Himself demonstrated is okay to escape and come away from on a daily basis.
"Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10)
"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you." (Isaiah 26:3 ESV)
"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 ESV)
Prayer: Lord, please help me find time away from the noise and busyness of my day to hear from you and restore peace to my heart and mind. I trust you to lead and guide me and that I will hear your voice leading me on the way to go today. In Jesus name Amen.
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