3/8/2025
Sometimes it is easier to remain quiet, not allowing anyone into your life. It can be a somewhat lonely lifestyle, but when we have the Great I Am as our Lord and Friend, then life is never lonely in the spiritual sense. In His Word He assures us that He is more than enough, and that is true. I believe all the years I spent alone were some of the best, but then I always had additional responsibilities outside of myself. Everyone does. We can't turn the world off completely. But, as Christians although we live in the world, we are not of the world, we are only passing through. While we're here we are to occupy until He returns. That means we are supposed to keep busy, but doing what? What exactly does "occupy" mean?
I've been in Virginia for three years now, and it has been a slow adjustment after having lived in a beautiful, mountainous area of Northern New Mexico, where I knew a lot of people. I think what I miss most, other than my family and friends, is my hiding place in Sipapu, and I also miss Parasol chicken tacos with green salsa and guacamole. I was such a regular there, that I'm sure at first every one wondered that I was, but after time, I faded in memory. Not even I can reproduce tacos to equal Parasol. I miss the tranquility and the scenic views of the mountains, especially when they are tipped with snow. I even miss shoveling snow.
Today has been a nostalgic day in some regards, but it has been a more relaxing day, as I have allowed myself to truly rest on the Sabbath, perhaps not as wonderfully as God intended, but it has been an improvement. I wish I could shut down my computer, but if I did, the email would take over, and shut down, overloading the circuits. I'm not really a television watcher, but I do enjoy a movie now and then. My daughter calls me from New Mexico, and we decide on a movie to watch together; she watches from NM and me from here in Virginia. Then we compare notes. So for today we are watching a Christmas movie, "Christmas Belle," a movie I love and have been hoping we'd get to enjoy together. We need to do this more often, but if I do, then many other things would suffer. I'm beginning to wonder if that may be better for me.
I mentioned previously that sometimes it's hard to talk to people, and I must admit that at times, it can be equally difficult to form the right prayers. It's like I become blank. Prayer is honest conversation with God, but sometimes, depending on who is listening, it is hard to speak from my heart. I know that I am called to intercession, but in certain groups there's a hindrance. Sensing my need for encouragement, Abba gave me some messages from one of my favorite authors, Oleo Hallesby, who happens to be deceased:
"Helplessness is unquestionably the first and the surest indication of a praying heart. As far as I can see, prayer has been ordained only for the helpless. Prayer and helplessness are inseparable. Only he who is helpless can truly pray."
"For we know not what we should pray for." Romans 8:26
"It is blessed to know of a place where we can lay our tired head and heart, our heavenly Father's arms, and say to Him, ' I can do no more. And I have nothing to tell you. May I lie here awhile and rest? Everything will soon be well again if I can only rest in Your arms a while."'
"My beloved spake and said...Rise up my love...and come away." Song of Solomon 2:10
"There comes times when I have nothing more to tell God. If I were to continue to pray in words, I would have to repeat what I have already said. At such times it is wonderful to say to God, 'May I be in Thy presence, Lord? I have nothing more to say to Thee, but I do love to be in Thy presence."'
"I sought Him whom my soul loveth." Song of Solomon 3:1
I think two of my favorite prayers are "Lord, You know!" and "Help!" Holy Spirit is dwelling inside of me, so He knows, and Jesus knows, and God gets my prayers that rise as incense, a sweet-smelling savor to our Lord.
Oswald Chambers, another late great, said "Has God trusted you with His silence - a silence that has great meaning? God's silences are actually His answers. Just think of those days of absolute silence in the home at Bethany! Is there anything comparable to those days in your life? Can God trust you like that, or are you still asking Him for a visible answer?"
Selah.
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