Several years ago I felt God speak to me about slowing down and Sabbathing more. About being purposeful in my restfulness in Him. This is a story of what I discovered.
In January of 2013, I ordered a book, God in the Yard by L.L. Barkat (TSPoetry Press) I had “met” the author online in the Christian writing community. We connected, I emailed her and she graciously sent me a signed copy (and a pressed fern leaf from her yard.)
It is a brave adventure, this. Committing to just sit outside and Do Nothing.
In my mind, ‘spiritual practice’ is Bible reading, Scripture memorization, prayer, journaling. Something purposeful, planned, contained…you know, disciplined.
But this spiritual practice turned out much differently than I expected.
Instead of feeling pressured to produce something–I found joy in the discipline of letting go and receiving. Learning to stop, look and listen. I learned to rest more in the realization of wonder right in front of me.
God’s timing is always perfect, which Barkat illustrates with the picture of God as a ‘divine librarian’ orchestrating the volumes we find on our shelves to speak to us just when we need it.
Barkat’s chapter prompts have questions that surprise me when I commit my answers to paper. She encourages the reader to take a ‘Sabbath on the page’ as often as possible throughout the week and just free write. The ‘free’ part of that originally left me unsettled—”wow, where could that lead, without any direction? Doesn’t sound very disciplined to me,” I thought.
Here is a discovery I made via the ‘And you?’ questions in the first chapter.
There are a couple of keys right there about how God might want to change up my thinking. Forcing myself to sit and look and listen has focused my observation on things I’ve never noticed. Phrases, pictures, words I didn’t know I had in me are welling to the surface. As I stare out at the greening world before me, parked in my chair on the deck, I’ve noticed all kinds of things:
- The palette of greens (there are over 10 in the trees and shrubs within view).
- Why do trees’ branches grow up?
- Where do the birds hide in the rain?
- No wonder God wants us to get outside and play–look at this world He’s made!
I have been pleasantly surprised when I take the leap (well, sit) and look and listen, that observations flow more easily. I’m capturing words I know come from somewhere else, and the release of them seems to happen when I pick up my pencil and commit thoughts to paper.
I have been building a temple, a place for contemplation, and I long for my appointments with God each day.
Stitching together my Sabbaths to sit, rest, receive is becoming a practice I look forward to, a discipline that is refreshing and completing me.
How about you? How is God refreshing you in your life?
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Okay, that is it, I am getting this book. Love the way her words have shaped and changed you, caused you to think differently. Thanks for linking up with BibleDude this week Jody.
Laura, that SO makes sense…….you are both so creative.
I look forward to sharing with everyone what God has shown me.
Did you know that Playdates with God emerged out of my time with Laura's God in the Yard? Such a wonderful book. I'm excited to see what God does with your time of reading it, Jodi.
Sounds like a great book. Love it when God changes our thinking!
It's an amazing book, and she's an amazing woman. Keep writing about the stillness–your thoughts are wonderful!
Nancy, the play part is the most intriguing for me. There's lots to enjoy out there–I want to pay attention!
Thanks for your kind comments.
“Just chilling isn't very spiritual.” Loved that!
I loved this book. Reading it really helped me begin to think about and see things differently. I love the playfulness of it. It cracked me up thinking about you making a schedule for yourself–I tend to do the very same things. One of the things I loved about the book was Barkat's sense of playfulness, the suggestion that maybe we don't have to be so serious all the time.
Look forward to hearing more thoughts as you go.
Oh, this sounds good! I am such a DO-ER, even in the way I pray and read the word.
love, love, love this post, Jody.
i'm all about listening as worship. sometimes we miss so much by our addiction to over-production, i think.
thanks for sharing at BibleDude. nice to see you there.
Lisa, the wise one who's gone before me. I look forward to sharing my little revelations with ya'll. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks, Sylvia, for reading. Yes, I've been surprised as I decided to jump in.
Susan, I think you're in a pretty chilly neck of the woods, but if you felt like starting the journey, well, God will show you the right time.
Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Nancy, I look forward to sharing the little whispers of God I'm hearing outside……consider yourself gently challenged (well, to pray about it, anyway). 🙂
Thanks for stopping by.
I read it a couple of years ago but the book was a borrowed one so I didn't take the necessary time to follow through. I hope to get my own copy some time.
Mary thanks for visiting from around the world. I smiled when I read you had God in the Yard…..wow. Perhaps you can read along. I look forward to hearing more. Bless you.
I, too, take great pleasure in Bible study, journaling, etc.–the discovery process. But you're whetting my appetite, Jody, to practice the discipline of being still out in nature, to make discoveries of a different kind. Thank you for your honesty, and your gentle challenge!
Dear Jody Lee
She call it spiritual practice, but come to think of it, just like any relationship. Just like the relationship for example with your hubbie, it takes time just being together to get to know one another. Why would it be any different with God? And besides, what can be better than touching His heart!!
Blessings from Michele's.
Mia
I didn't know I was looking for something to guide my solitude, but I may have found something I need, something geared to a writer and encouraging the poet's voice. Yes, yes. Thank you, friend!
Jody, I so enjoyed reading this, especially after I got to the “I put off reading it as long as possible.” And chuckled, knowingly. Because, even though I didn't have a copy of the whole book, I thought I'd start out anyway with the first two “days,” which I found online. My reaction was just like yours: “I can't just go *sit* for a whole hour! I've got things to do!” But maybe exactly *that* is the discipline. Now I've got to quit procrastinating, and get that book—and follow through! I have the feeling it's going to teach me a lot!
I “did” this book myself 2 years ago and was amazed at how much I learned from doing “nothing.” It was a special time. I'm glad you're being blessed in it too!
Jody- I shall watch with interest to see how you go ! I bought this book 2-3 years ago, and still haven't ” done it”- but your idea of stitching together some shorter times appeals- you may be the catalyst I have been awaiting in order to get started! There are a huge collection of other bloggers notes on this book from when it first came out- and I have these saved on file- should you wish to explore some other people's interpretations? mgemmill@xtra.co.nz