Monday, February 20, 2017

On Dormant Ground


There are weeks when urgent writings spring forth from a heart crammed with good things that simply must be shared.  You awake early and hit the ground running because a persistent thread has woven itself into something warmly substantial through the darkest hours and just begs to be offered when light dawns. 

Or a song, a word, an observation plays a winsome tune over and over and invites itself to be penned.  A flash of insight comes out of left field and you just can't wait to put fingers to keyboard.  Or perhaps God repeatedly whispers a persistent message and it calls to be placed on the table with awe and reverence.

Posts stack up in the queue, ripe for publishing.

And then there are other weeks when silence descends and there is nothing of significant value to place in the hands of others.  Fingers are still, minds and hearts rest gently idle.  There are no productive musings coming to call, no wisps of brilliance that await, nor any profound words of wisdom that are worth sharing.

And that, my friends, is as it should be.

A needed lesson pushes its way to the forefront, patiently waiting to be heeded.  And once again we are reminded that we are not defined by our productivity, our creativity, or our accomplishments.  We are defined by our Savior.

And He whispers, 'peace, be still.'





*

visiting with Holley & friends 

*

32 comments:

  1. Peace be still. Those are words that always bring calm to my soul.

    So true: "And once again we are reminded that we are not defined by our productivity, our creativity, or our accomplishments. We are defined by our Savior." Amen!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And if we ever needed calmness to wash over us it would be right about now ...

      Delete
  2. My writing often comes in waves just as you describe, Linda, and then the tide recedes for a bit. We do need to remember that during those "dry spells," God is calling us simply to be still with Him.
    Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm with you, Martha. I'm not big on that push to force yourself to write. There's usually a reason why things are a bit dormant and the best way to discover fresh energy is to release any kind of pressure we put on ourselves.

      Delete
  3. So true- sometimes we have a lot to say, other times we just need to be quiet and listen, and it's so important to remember that it is not our productivity that defines us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And maybe we need to be quiet and listen more? A lesson I'm eager to learn ...

      Delete
  4. This is so encouraging, Linda - "And once again we are reminded that we are not defined by our productivity, our creativity, or our accomplishments. We are defined by our Savior." Such a great reminder. Thank you. I love the photos. The one of the sea gull especially speaks peace to my heart. :) Love and hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love that little guy. He wasn't going anywhere no matter how close I got. His turf, I guess ...

      Delete
  5. The joy of stillness and the chance to sit and be-how lovely! Your pictures bring us to a place that embodies the slow rhythm of your words. Peace my friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Peace. Yes, yes ...

      One of His choicest gifts, isn't it!

      Delete
  6. Breathe in this quiet time. It's at these quiet times I'm most likely to hear my soul speak. I'm learning to listen. Peace be with you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Absolutely, friend. It's nigh impossible to discern God speaking somewhere deep when we're surrounded by all that self-induced clamor and stress ...

      Delete
  7. I know what you mean, about the rush of things to say, and then the silence too! I love that beautiful picture you shared... the silence and stillness is as needed as the days of productivity... it all has an ebb and flow as the very tides of the sea... appreciate your words today :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love your description of the 'ebb and flow' of our schedules, our writing, our activities ...

      Delete
  8. Thank you, I needed to hear this today! At the moment---all is silent!
    Blessings, My Friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And sometimes all we need are a few stolen moments, yes?

      Delete
  9. I needed this today Linda! I haven't a post ready for today, and I could just write one quickly to get it done, or I could take a breath and take in this "needed lesson (that) pushes its way to the forefront, patiently waiting to be heeded." Those niggling feelings of being a disappointment to myself and not following the 'rules' of writing consistently can condemn me, or I can cease the striving and be free in His will. Hugs!! And thanks again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh don't you hate those 'writing rules' that someone somewhere made up?! What works for one often doesn't work for the other, leaving us feeling 'less than,' frustrated, discouraged ... and strangely depleted.

      It's for freedom He's set us free, isn't it ...

      Delete
  10. Peace be still.
    I try to push past the guilt that this idea inevitably brings me. I mean, that I bring on myself. Work in progress!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh that enemy ... he just loves a good guilt trip, doesn't he ...

      Pushing back against all his subtle attacks with you, friend.

      Delete
  11. Thanks, Linda. I need this right now. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Linda,
    I love the seagull looking so serious sitting on the fence! He's so regal and a fitting image for your words on stillness and silence and peace. Oh I can relate to the rush of things spilling over in your soul and schedule and that's when I crave stillness. I especially loved these quiet images of winter! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Valerie ~ I do hate an overflowing schedule ... old age perhaps?

      Or just sanity kicking in?

      ;-}

      Delete
  13. Linda,
    This is great! Thank God, we are not defined by our productivity...that is a lie I've had to slay over and over again... as God reminds me over and over...you've read my book so you know how it came to be...Blessings and thanks for writing :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 'A life I've had to slay over and over again ...'

      No one could say it better, Dolly. Isn't that the story of our lives.

      Attn Readers: Check out my review of Dolly's recent release, '7 Days of Soul Care'

      http://www.lindastoll.net/2016/11/a-short-stack-of-soul-stretching.html

      I'm a fan!

      Delete
  14. I find myself in a difficult writing period myself, and I am trying not to worry about it. Your insight about peace and quiet is very enlightening to me. I think sometimes I am 'on fire' and can write forever, but then there are the days when nothing comes.

    It's all for reasons I don't know right now. But it's okay. Like you, I wait for the seeds to sprout. In the meantime, prayer is my best friend.
    God's blessings,
    Ceil

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Let's throw worry to the wind on the creativity that God sends our way. Worry and wondering only serve to tamp down the joy He leads us to day by day.

      Sometimes the best thing we can do is close up our screens and go live our lives outloud. The seeds will sprout in their season.

      And oh yes, yes. You've said it all. Prayer is our best friend, Ceil.

      Thank You, Jesus.

      Delete
  15. {sigh} settling into this peaceful message, my friend. Shalom.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shalom.

      Yes, yes, June.

      Weekend blessings to you, friend ...

      Delete
  16. Most definitely yes, as it should be. He is our maker and defines us as loved. Thank you Linda.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a blessed experience to invite Him to define our value, our worth, our beauty.

      Grateful you're here, Debby.

      Delete