This is a crazy thingfor a mom of five to admit, but I LOVE silence.
Or maybe, more accurately, I CRAVE it.
I dream of lingering in a house so still that I can hear the muffled hum of the heater on a chilly day; imagine tasking in a kitchen so quiet that I can hear the trill of a songbird just beyond the window as I rinse dirty dishes at the sink.
I wonder what it would be like to hear the lonely howl of the wind as it sweeps across the harvested field in my backyard, to listen long to just one conversation and ponder the shared words in quiet companionship.
I love the holy hush of dawn before my floors creak beneath the hop and skip of ten prancing feet.
I love listening to quiet worship tunes while sipping a hot cup of coffee.
And I love soaking in God’s Word in silence, my ears tuned to His still small voice.
But despite my affinity for a life of quaint quiet, my days are filled with noise.
In fact, in this crazy season of parenting, noise may be the only constant in our ceaseless spin. Our dramas and disasters change moment to moment, but the volume beneath our roof rarely varies until the moon sits high in the sky.
For years after having children, I failed to truly spend time with Jesus because I thought He could only be found in those cleared-out quiet moments when the babies napped and the laundry was done. I mistakenly believed that I could only hear Him in the dark of night or the dim of dawn when all the chatter and clatter had ceased.
But I grew empty just waiting for the right time to listen.
I grew numb just waiting to be refueled by a holy hush.
And this Jesus-loving girl who grew up trained in the discipline of “quiet times” wondered just how one chases hard after Jesus in a house that rarely sleeps.
Then one night, I read these wise words penned by a father who understands noise.
And he suggested that the Savior I seek can be found right beneath my roof, smack in the middle of all the cries and clamors, right in the place where the “mundane and the sacred meet.”
This wise daddy writes:
In the days when community was richer and faith was deeper, a new home would be blessed and its doorsills anointed with oil, or honey, or blood. Before the explosion of churches, some homes even had altars.
The temple, in fact, was called the Mishkan: a place of divine dwelling. In English we call it a tabernacle: a tent. The first church in the Abrahamic faiths, in other words, was a home.
God chose to live among his people. Home in this earlier understanding, was more than a venue for eating and sleeping: it was a holy place.
Somewhere along the way we forgot this. We began to think that God was out there– in heaven, a sunset, an ornate temple, a mega church.
We forgot that the has always come to where we are, to dwell with us. We began to think of him as being somewhere else, and told ourselves that we had to get dressed up, put on smiles, and go find him…
Yes we can to to our churches and temples to seek him out, but I wonder if sometimes our homes are not just as sacred as these buildings. It is our homes where we make love and pray, where we make children and try to raise them, where–if we are blessed– we one day are allowed to die.
If God is not is such a place, in the muck of our daily existence, in our beginnings and endings, then he is nowhere….
(Home) is where the sacred and mundane meet, which is to say, where the hand of God touches the broken heart of man. –Tony Woodlief, Somewhere More Holy.
Slowly, I am surrenderingmy misbelief that Jesus shows Himself more clearly in silence. I am laying down the lie that He prefers muffle over madness.
And I’m beginning to listen for His voice in the hullaballoo of this loud place I call home. I’m beginning to tune my ears to His timeless song ringing right along with my doorbell and telephone and living-room-rock-star shows.
Someday, I may be the proud owner of a quiet house.
Too quiet, I’m told by those faithful mamas who walk before me.
Though it’s hard to imagine now, my cravings may change with time, too.
Perhaps in years to come, I’ll long to be serenaded by laughter and squeals; dream of being aroused by the pitter of feet on the hard wood floor and the throbbing of the trap set in the basement.
But for now, I’m grateful that the Creator of honking geese and screeching owls, the maestro of thunderstorms and roaring seas feels right at home in that place where the clank and clatter of my chaos meets the sacred song of His grace.
The Overflow: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. -John 1:14 Quietly countingthese gifts… 1481. A miracle in the midst of a mess 1482. Mary’s smiling face at the post office 1483. Hannah’s chance to be ‘babysitter’ for a friend.. the joy she seeps when she comes back home. 1484. The golden canvas of leaves framing the gray lake waters on a foggy day 1485. Car time with mom- uninterrupted time to talk 1486. The joy of being God’s mouthpiece 1487. My favorite song sung by a stunning voice at the women’s night out…. “His love is deep… His love is wide…” 1488. Standing on the soccer sidelines with my favorite college girl 1489. Reading a book to the kids on a blanket in the front yard as we soak in the autumn sun. 1490. The Lion of Judah 1491. Maggie- “Mom, when I am grown up I will let you hold my babies, ok?” 1492. Playing basketball on the driveway with Luke (did he LET me win that round?!) 1493. New library books piled high in a wicker basket. 1494. Joshua’s fingers clasping mine as we pray side by side in his bed. 1495. A brand new penny jar on the kitchen counter Linking again in community with Ann and these lovely grace seekers: l.l. for on, in, and around mondays, laura for playdates with god, and jen for soli deo gloria
So glad to hear I’m not the only one craving some quiet now and then. Love the reminders from those of you who are a season ahead- great words to keep me focused on trying to savor the noise and remember it’s fleeting. Blessed by each of you!
Oh, I am one who loves quiet, too. And now I am more in a season of quiet, as both my kids are in school, but I remember being able to hear Him in the noise, and still do, when things are rowdy and rough at my house. So thankful for you words, A.
What a great reminder that we can find Jesus everywhere, especially in the middle of our chaos. We can see him in the faces of our children, in the mess and the never ending pile of laundry. He’s here and there. Thank you for this, your a blessing.
Not crazy to admit. With all the kids in my house last year, silence was impossible, but at night, I’d get away on my bicycle far away to pray. 🙂 Good post.
Lovely post, Alicia. I prefer quiet too and I have four young noise makers! 🙂 At night when the house is quiet, that’s when I reflect on each child and feel such aching love for them. When I’m serving them it feels overwhelming so I need the quiet times to really soak in the blessing of being Momma. Watching them make joyful noise outside is another time I feel such overwhelming love.
Your last sentence is so exquisitely crafted. Beautiful. I love the feel of lovely long sentences as they echo in my head. I have some idea how to craft nice sentences but I rarely have the time to practice. Crafting pretty ones will be something to look forward to in my empty nest years.
“For years after having children, I failed to truly spend time with Jesus because I thought He could only be found in those cleared-out quiet moments when the babies napped and the laundry was done.
I mistakenly believed that I could only hear Him in the dark of night or the dim of dawn when all the chatter and clatter had ceased.
But I grew empty just waiting for the right time to listen.
I grew numb just waiting to be refueled by a holy hush.
And this Jesus-loving girl who grew up trained in the discipline of “quiet times” wondered just how one chases hard after Jesus in a house that rarely sleeps.”
These words so describe me right now, in this season.
Thank you for the encouragement to hear Him, grow in Him in the middle of the chaos.
ummm yes… alittle too quiet at times…time now that one has to fight to fill with a different kind of noise…but I love your words and the perspective you are having here…and really no matter the season of life…God meets us…in the noise and in the deafening silence…so thankful He is faithful.
Hi Alicia! I saw your link-up note and jumped over to see what was going on. Thank you for this post. My house is chaos too! Everyday. It’s the kids, its the visitors, its the students, its the construction outside. I forget that’s its the sign of life-all that noise. I hear you. It’s so easy for Moms to get empty. I’ll be reading today and saying my prayers even if its just 5 quick minutes in between all the calls of “MAMA!” And I’ll remember to be thankful for the noise!
Wow! This looks amazing! If I could, I would buy it right away! I also think I prefer the long vest without a top underneath. Or maybe you can try something really sheer.Happy thanksgiving..
What a finish. Phew. Glad that's behind us – tho, after the drama of Tuesday night's game, last night was almost ant-climactic. I actually stopped watching closely and got some work done. !! The way they played at times, I'm surprised they got here. The way they played at other times, I'm flabbergasted that they didn't win the division by 20 games. Either way, they kept my attention; which, as you pointed out, is the real point of the whole thing.
I’ll be praying today for you, too… asking for a sweet FILLING as you pour yourself out for your family. So glad we were able to “meet” today through our link-ups. Blessings to you.
1493. New library books piled high in a wicker basket.
Awesome, centering words, Alicia.
Just what I need on a day when I wonder if I’ll ever live life again without feeling rushed and wanting to shush in everything I do.
Thanks for sharing from Tony Woodlief’s book — makes me want to check it out. 🙂
So glad to hear I’m not the only one craving some quiet now and then. Love the reminders from those of you who are a season ahead- great words to keep me focused on trying to savor the noise and remember it’s fleeting. Blessed by each of you!
Oh, Alicia, how I needed this today! Yes, He is here is here in the midst of all the crazy. Beautiful. And I’m going to have to check out that book.
Oh, I am one who loves quiet, too. And now I am more in a season of quiet, as both my kids are in school, but I remember being able to hear Him in the noise, and still do, when things are rowdy and rough at my house. So thankful for you words, A.
What a great reminder that we can find Jesus everywhere, especially in the middle of our chaos. We can see him in the faces of our children, in the mess and the never ending pile of laundry. He’s here and there. Thank you for this, your a blessing.
Not crazy to admit. With all the kids in my house last year, silence was impossible, but at night, I’d get away on my bicycle far away to pray. 🙂 Good post.
I told my gratnmodher how you helped. She said, “bake them a cake!”
Lovely post, Alicia. I prefer quiet too and I have four young noise makers! 🙂 At night when the house is quiet, that’s when I reflect on each child and feel such aching love for them. When I’m serving them it feels overwhelming so I need the quiet times to really soak in the blessing of being Momma. Watching them make joyful noise outside is another time I feel such overwhelming love.
Your last sentence is so exquisitely crafted. Beautiful. I love the feel of lovely long sentences as they echo in my head. I have some idea how to craft nice sentences but I rarely have the time to practice. Crafting pretty ones will be something to look forward to in my empty nest years.
Have a blessed week!
This so speaks to my heart:
“For years after having children, I failed to truly spend time with Jesus because I thought He could only be found in those cleared-out quiet moments when the babies napped and the laundry was done.
I mistakenly believed that I could only hear Him in the dark of night or the dim of dawn when all the chatter and clatter had ceased.
But I grew empty just waiting for the right time to listen.
I grew numb just waiting to be refueled by a holy hush.
And this Jesus-loving girl who grew up trained in the discipline of “quiet times” wondered just how one chases hard after Jesus in a house that rarely sleeps.”
These words so describe me right now, in this season.
Thank you for the encouragement to hear Him, grow in Him in the middle of the chaos.
ummm yes… alittle too quiet at times…time now that one has to fight to fill with a different kind of noise…but I love your words and the perspective you are having here…and really no matter the season of life…God meets us…in the noise and in the deafening silence…so thankful He is faithful.
Ah, it sounds like absolutely wonderful chaos! In all my days in a house full, I felt drowned out, and now in the silence there is something missing.
Moments of both are ideal, right? But when we cannot get one or the other, He is here…
This post would be a great encouragement for moms.
You should link it to The Mom Initiative here: (My friend Stephanie Shott from Jacksonville, FL and many other moms) http://www.themominitiative.com/
What a sweet reminder for those that still have little feet around.
And, I so agree that home is sacred.
(as is all of life.)
I still pray you can find some surprising quiet here and there. 🙂
And I LOVE your chaos dear friend 🙂
I have a silent home! 🙂
Just kidding!
I know GOD is present in chaos..because I depend on him so much…and I am full of chaos!
Love your home!
Hi Alicia!
I saw your link-up note and jumped over to see what was going on. Thank you for this post.
My house is chaos too! Everyday. It’s the kids, its the visitors, its the students, its the construction outside. I forget that’s its the sign of life-all that noise. I hear you. It’s so easy for Moms to get empty. I’ll be reading today and saying my prayers even if its just 5 quick minutes in between all the calls of “MAMA!” And I’ll remember to be thankful for the noise!
Heckuva good job. I sure apceiprate it.
I think you’ve just captured the answer perfectly
Wow! This looks amazing! If I could, I would buy it right away! I also think I prefer the long vest without a top underneath. Or maybe you can try something really sheer.Happy thanksgiving..
What a finish. Phew. Glad that's behind us – tho, after the drama of Tuesday night's game, last night was almost ant-climactic. I actually stopped watching closely and got some work done. !! The way they played at times, I'm surprised they got here. The way they played at other times, I'm flabbergasted that they didn't win the division by 20 games. Either way, they kept my attention; which, as you pointed out, is the real point of the whole thing.
This site is like a classroom, except I don’t hate it. lol
I’ll be praying today for you, too… asking for a sweet FILLING as you pour yourself out for your family. So glad we were able to “meet” today through our link-ups. Blessings to you.