I get it; finding time for a silent night seems like an impossible feat with kids, late nights, and the holiday bustle. Yet, trust me, those quiet moments after everyone's settled are pure magic. Whether it's the early morning hours or a peaceful night retreat, these times can become the most meaningful moments of your holiday season.
In the midst of leading your family, navigating busy schedules, working, and the beautiful chaos of this season, I want you to know you're seen, appreciated, and treasured. My friend, your mental, emotional, and physical well-being are worth you taking a few moments for YOU. Why not give yourself a gift that will keep on giving?
Give yourself the gift of solitude.
Perhaps you feel like you are holding on by a shoestring, and the fire in your heart, the sparkle in your eyes, is fading fast. Here is a morsel of encouragement for your hungry soul from our great friend Isaiah. He wants to encourage us to remember, "A bruised reed will he not break, and a dimly burning wick will he not quench: he will bring forth justice in truth."
So, dear friend, take heart. He sees you, knows your truth, and remains faithfully with you in the hustle and bustle of the season.
As your mom-friend, and seasoned sage, I'd like to offer you a little cup of mom counsel.
Let's meet for a cup of coffee at your favorite place.
Imagine us sitting across the table, sipping coffee or tea, and locking eyes. I'm listening to you, your struggles, your joys, your weariness. I'm waiting to share some timeless secrets with you. And, I imagine you will listen, but you will tell yourself (and perhaps you will tell me) why my ideas won't work for you. You will come up with an arsenal of reasons why you can't incorporate space into your season, silence into your night, or solitude into your schedule.
I'd hear all the reasons why my suggestions might seem impossible, and lovingly, I'd remind you that you get to choose. You can choose whether you will unwrap and enjoy the gift of solitude.
So, if you're willing, come and explore why you believe what you believe and find a way to make the seemingly impossible become a reality in these last few days of 2023.
Inspiration from Someone Older and Wiser
Creating Sacred Space in the Midst of Chaos
A number of years ago, I too sat across the table with someone older and wiser than myself. I listened to her story; she listened to my frustrations and concerns. With steadfast conviction, she did not relent in her counsel for me.
Who was this wise sage?
The heroic Susanna Wesley, also known as the Mother of Methodism.
Susanna Wesley, a mother of 19 children, navigated a myriad of challenges. Her husband faced imprisonment for fraud, left her and the children for a year, she mourned the loss of some of her children, and her family home succumbed to flames, dispersing the family across various locations during the rebuilding process. Despite these tribulations, Susanna clung to her faith, opting to dedicate more time to prayer than leisure. Amidst the hustle of her bustling household, she carved out a sacred space by draping herself with an apron—a signal that she sought a quiet communion with God.
I decided to follow her example (literally). I was not the apron-wearing kind of mom, BUT I did have fabric. My kids would often find me on the floor, covered in a silk cloth, praying, crying, maybe even catching a nap.
Her example and her legacy lived on, inspiring, provoking, and calling me higher. Every excuse I had was met with her relentless pursuit of prayer in the midst of unimaginable circumstances. I learned from her example and share her legacy with you in hopes that you will be inspired to enjoy sacred space with your Savior this Christmas season.
Your Mom Journey – Embrace the Sacred
Stealing Moments, Finding Magic
I was empowered in those early years of parenting by Susanna's example. I learned that it's okay to let the kids watch another movie, okay for me to steal a few minutes, and okay to establish some space for myself. And you know what? The house didn't burn down, there was no unmanageable mess, and no one met any unfortunate fate.
Don't get me wrong... I was a CONTROL FREAK, and I was sure that in those moments, our home would fall apart. Week by week, my ability to spend time with Jesus increased.
There were good seasons of silence and solitude and seasons where life just took over, and I would promise myself that 'tomorrow' I would get back on track. Oftentimes, my tomorrow became a month's worth of missed moments with my best friend, Jesus. I would be falling apart with compounded stress, and I would REMEMBER. I would have to RETURN to my plumbline.
Without my moments (and trust me, in those early days, it was MOMENTS) of solitude, I wasn't the mom I aspired to be.
Encouragement for You
Take Time, Make Time, Embrace Solitude for Your Soul
A friend recently shared that she bought herself her Christmas present. She wrapped it up, told her husband about it, and placed it under the tree. Perhaps my friend is on to something. Why don't we take this idea to heart and JUST DO IT?
Buy your favorite tea or a new mug.
Perhaps a sweet treat is more your cup of tea.
Add a coupon for an hour of silence and solitude to be used before 2024.
Wrap it in a lovely package and tie it with a bow.
Don't put anyone's name on it...(isn't this getting fun)
Place it under the tree.
On Christmas morning, unwrap your present for all to see and witness, and
With your family as your witness, state when your sacred time will be.
Perhaps you ask kids (and hubby) to stay in their rooms a little longer in the morning, or give them the freedom to watch a movie in a different area of the house. You might need to borrow those noise cancelling ear phones you got your teen for Christmas.
Take time.
Make time.
Embrace an hour of solitude for your soul this Christmas day.
Gift yourself the gift of silence.
BONUS: Tips To Help You Navigate Solitude
As you start your moments of solitude and silence, BREATHE. Taking time to breathe connects you with the present, and you want to be present in this giftedness of silence.
For one whole minute, close your eyes, feel your breath, and let it bring you into the present – a precious gift.
Exhale, saying, "Jesus, I give you everyone and everything."
Inhale, saying, "Holy Spirit, I receive the gift of your presence."
Read the following passage 3-4 times and allow it to wash over you. Each time, allow the rain to come a little harder, and saturate a little deeper.
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! Isaiah 9:6-7
Envision Jesus sitting next to you in this sacred space.
Look at Him.
What do each of these qualities of Jesus look like, smell like, feel like. TASTE AND SEE His goodness.
WONDERFUL...breathe
COUNSELOR.....breathe
MIGHTY GOD.....breathe
EVERLASTING FATHER.....breathe
PRINCE OF PEACE....breathe
In this sacred space, may you find peace, joy, and the presence of the Prince of Peace.