PORCH
a soft place to land
a calm weekend haven
a gentle pause from life's busyness
so we may experience
the tender lovingkindness of Jesus
as we do life together
in community
Oh I can't begin to tell you how good it is to be back with you again! Three weeks seems so long ... yet it was just right.
A great big welcome to dear old friends and precious new-to-me ones, too. I'm hoping that when my name pops up in your inbox it'll bring a smile and whatever's on the agenda will always be worth your valuable time.
And if a special someone was good enough to forward this to you, you can subscribe right here. I'd love that.
There's nothing linear about the changeover from one year to the next, is there. Whether you've been quietly keeping the home fires burning or running hither and yon, these weeks of transition find us in a beehive of activity. Cleaning up Christmas. Corralling, sorting, reorganizing all the things. Finding the perfect home for a new possession or two. Restocking the fridge, keeping the washer and dryer spinning, wading through accumulated bills, cards, and stacks of stuff on countertop and desk.
Getting back to work and school and routine and ministry again. I'm embracing this kind of gentle bustle that ramps us up to new attitudes and fresh starts ... and surprising opportunities we never dreamed would be ours.
2023 has arrived, she's settling in, and she's making herself at home. I can't wait to see what she looks like as her days unfurl.
I'm all about quiet. Stillness. Serenity. I feel healthier, more authentically present to others, and more available to the Lord when both my soul and my environment are uncluttered and at peace.
The older I get, the truer this becomes.
There's no point galloping ahead at full speed into this new year without carving out the time and energy to take care of old business. Decisions left unmade hang like an albatross around our necks. Resentments that haven't been dealt with and forgiveness not offered isolates us in a miserable prison of our own making. And grief that's somehow been compartmentalized and tucked back into far-off corners renders us incapable of moving toward a spirit of hopefulness.
We're talking about any unwholesome, unsettling, or ungodly situation that's been gathering dust, taking up time and space and energy that could better be used in more productive ways.
We clear away the old, the tired, the messy so we can breathe deeply again. Have a clearer vision of who we are in this season. Understand what we're really craving. For God is always inviting us to something deeper, holier, stronger, and wiser. But first we have to roll up ours sleeves, wade in deep, and take care of business.
Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
Hebrews 12:1-2
QUIETING RESOURCES
I quieted my mantle and dining room this week and it was like a breath of fresh air swept into the house. As ever, Myquillyn inspired me.
This has long been a favorite read - Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain. And this, for our kids and grandkids - Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverts. So excellent, more needed and urgent than ever. Click here to read my reviews and find more quiet resources.
Emma Churchman
Bringing Solitude Into Our Lives
Henri Nouwen
Henri Nouwen
5 minute prayer meditations anchored to biblical truth, love, and peace
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Psalm 131
May you be courageous enough to walk into the stillness despite confusion, shame, or fear. May the choices you make open your life to a quiet peace that only the Spirit of Jesus can provide. And may you be kind and gracious to yourself in the process, even as God has been kind and gracious to you. Amen.
Linda
visiting
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Oh, it's so good to see you back and read your words that always come filled with grace. Happiest of New Year's to you. - Debby
ReplyDeleteHey Debby, I don't think I've ever taken three weeks off before! And the world kept on spinning 'round!
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Joining you in appreciating the uncluttered beginning. I am finding myself utterly curious about what the year holds.
ReplyDeleteI've learned (the hard way) that curiosity can be a very positive mindset to embrace. I hear what you're saying Michele. God never fails to open the most unexpected doors ... even as He closes the ones we were sure would be open.
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Welcome back Linda! I might just check out those books on introverts. I'm the biggest introvert in the world!
ReplyDeleteRegina, I'm guessing you'll find these books affirming and helpful ... I found them to be incredibly insightful. Us introverts need to support and encourage each other to be who God has shaped us to be!
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Happy New Year, Linda! I also enjoy quiet and uncluttered spaces!
ReplyDeleteI bet you're hard at work pulling together those kind of spaces in your new home, Cindy! I hope you're settling in well. Happy New Year.
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Linda, it's so wonderful to have you back here, but it does sound like the break you took was a healthy and healing one for you. That's a blessing!
ReplyDeleteAnd what a beautiful photo of your family! All those smiles and lots of cheer.
Blessings for a wonderful New Year!
Happy New Year to you, too, friend! We survived 2022! Onward and upward, praise God ...
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Glad you are back! Looking forward to the new year, comfortable with some clutter around me!
ReplyDeleteI know, I know ... a bit of clutter can be like a cozy blanket! Whatever works!
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Yes, when I see your email, it puts a smile on my face bc I know I’ll learn something or experience loveliness or calmness. Thank you for you sharing your insights. Gail
ReplyDeleteGail, hi! I'm so glad you find some kind of calmness around here ... it can only come from the Lord!
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Thank you for the recommendations, Linda. I'd forgotten about McQuillen's website--must visit there again to see what she's up to these days! Also listened for a bit to the winter music you provided a link to--will be revisiting soon! It'll offer a peaceful background for office-reorganizing (just as soon as a few other priorities are taken care of)! I too love the fresh start of a new year that inspires the reordering of spaces. Happy quieting to you, Linda!
ReplyDeleteOffice-reorganizing. I could hardly find the top of my desk yesterday. It took most of the afternoon to take care of everything randomly piled there. Wish I had thought of the music then! Enjoy!
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Happy New Year! ❤️
ReplyDeleteI have to admit I was somewhat amused by the video by Myquillyn and her reorganizing and decluttering. Apparently…she is a minimalist…admittedly…I am not.
As I recall, both of our houses were always filled with “fun stuff” that we had lovingly accumulated throughout the years.
When we downsized from 4000 to 1400 sq ft a few years ago…I not only pared down size, but with it many of those precious treasures. With it…I decided to try minimalism for a while…(okay…maybe a few weeks!) Things were still packed and there were empty corners and tabletops while I set up the household stuff…but those empty spaces left me feeling like something was missing. I decided to just unpack a “few” things to make it feel more like home. One thing led to another until all the boxes were unpacked and old treasures became new again and found new places to live. I could never be a minimalist…it’s just not me! 😬
I'm so glad you're here, Carole! For all kinds of reasons.
DeleteYep, I well remember all the garage sales and auctions and little shops we went to along the way. So many good memories ... so much fun stuff! And yes, our stories match ... when we downsized to this house I got rid of probably half my stuff because I knew I wouldn't have room here. I can't begin to count how many truck loads we took to The Barn in Pleasant Valley or gave away or put out by the curb.
I miss some things, but the good memories still remain. Tim has just finished building floor to ceiling shelves on the dining room wall and it won't be long til I can pull out the remaining treasures and give them a new home.
But white space still calls my name ...
xo
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I sometimes think just one minimalist room would be good…unfortunately…empty corners beckon me to fill them! Lol
DeleteI once read the book, “Finding Spiritual Whitespace”. I remember loving it…need to dig it out and read it again!
Your recommendation is good enough for me, Carole. I just put a request in at the library. Know that I'll be thinking of you as I read ...
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Happy New Year, Linda!
ReplyDeleteI also tend to be a minimalist...except for tea and tea wares. LOL
That's cute, Margie! We all have a passion for something, don't we. Mine is vintage wooden spoons. Oh ... and seaglass.
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I love your painting and also your beautiful collection of shells and sea glass. Your family is lovely and how fun to have the gang together! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteIt WAS fun, Jeanie. The kids' church had a photo booth on Christmas Eve and we all quickly crowded together with a bit of shuffling around. No prep, no arranging. A rare gift, one I'll treasure always ...
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Good to see you back Linda! That first picture captured my imagination. I am seeking to make this year count and "to stop and smell the roses." My life will stay busy as a pastor but I want to relish the days.
ReplyDeleteAn abandoned lighthouse, Nassau Harbour in the Bahamas. Bliss.
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May 2023 bless you with grace and peace! Love your sentence: 2023 has arrived, she's settling in, and she's making herself at home. I can't wait to see what she looks like as her days unfurl. sooooo good
ReplyDeleteAnd I absolutely love your post, Declutter, Jean. Its invitation resonated with me, for sure!
Deletehttps://healthyspirituality.org/declutter/
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Happy New Year, Linda! I hope you enjoyed your break. It always makes me smile to see your post in my inbox. I have appreciated Susan Cain's books so I enjoyed checking out some of the other resources too.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you, too, Lesley! I'm smilin' right back at you tonight and hoping all is well in your neck of the woods ...
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I love your beautiful family photo, Linda! Also your collection of shells and sea glass. And this really resonates with me - "I'm all about quiet. Stillness. Serenity. I feel healthier, more authentically present to others, and more available to the Lord when both my soul and my environment are uncluttered and at peace." I find, too, that I need this more as I get older. :) Love and blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Trudy ... there's something about this need as we get older. Maybe we can't deal as well with an overwhelm of stimulation? For some of us that's quite true. For others, not so much. And that's ok. God has shaped us all uniquely.
DeleteI realized a long time ago that ths world would be quite boring if everyone was just like me.
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Oh, dear friend! This is just what I needed to read this evening! I am always so blessed by coming here, and I always leave refreshed in spirit. May the Lord richly bless you in this new year!
ReplyDeleteGrateful with you, Cheryl, for the many ways God refreshes our spirits. He's creative, wise, and ever faithful! I know your new book will be yet another gift He uses. Can't wait to have it in my hands!
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Linda, I missed your words in my inbox, but I'm so glad you enjoyed your blogging break. Our college girl just left this afternoon, so there will be a lot of "getting back to usual" this week. The different (and often slower) pace of the last few weeks was helpful and my head is full of thoughts and plans and hopes for the new year. We'll see what God has in store, won't we?
ReplyDeleteThe pictures of your girls / young women on your posts are beautiful. Doesn't it seem like yesterday that they were little?!
DeleteEnjoy getting back to normal. I'm finding that it's taking longer than I thought, but that's ok. What's the rush?
Happy New Year, lovely friend.
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I like how you described this transitioning from holiday time to normal as a gentle bustle. I loved everything about the holidays, but I like the returning to normal as well.
ReplyDeleteI also need some quietness and stillness to be at my best. It was a little hard with all the family here, and I felt conflicted between wanting to spend time with them but needing some pockets of alone time. Thankfully, God provided the latter without making it seem like I was neglecting anyone or missing out.
Barbara, yes! Those pockets of solitude are our lifeline when there's lots of people around, even those we love being with! I've learned to quietly slip away. No one ever notices I've been MIA when I slip back into the room. Maybe we're modeling something healthy as well as doing what we know we need to do?
DeleteGod knows.
New Year's Blessings to you.
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Another day, another year,
ReplyDeleteanother lamb unto the slaughter,
another hope turned back to fear,
and I now just believe I oughter
let go of the introspection,
let be all depth in me forget,
focus heart in one direction,
and give what's left all I have got,
for there is nothing in the gloaming
that the wide world wants or needs,
so I think I won't be roaming
in those quiet useless weeds,
but rather offer up each breath
to give purpose to my death.
Hey Andrew ... thanks for the nudge to offer up each breath, like a prayer, to give purpose to our living the precious moments God has remaining for us. Well said, friend.
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You have such a beautiful family. It's always good to see you here. I also love the practice of quiet and stillness. It seems to be the only way I can effectively begin each day. I wonder if that is an age thing?? I'm excited to listen to your winter music playlist. I know it will be a treat.
ReplyDeleteMusic calms the soul, doesn't it ...
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I love, love, love the Christmas tree watercolor! How lovely! I have been craving quiet. It's hard to explain, but I find myself hypersensitive just now to "noise" in general. Commercials. Play-by-play announcers on Sunday football broadcasts. Eternal Muzak while on hold. It is outside I feel the very best kind of quiet. Right now it's snowing ... one of the very best kinds of hush. Many blessings to you and my thanks for another lovely visit on your porch.
ReplyDeleteBarbara
onehopefulyear.com
Yes, yes, and yes. Sometimes I enjoy music playing, but often, it's the quiet that re-orients and calms. I hear exactly what you're saying, Barbara. And I do love a good snowfall, too ... as long as no one needs to go anywhere. 'One of the very best kinds of hush.'
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I love the photo of your family Linda. Such a beautiful bunch. Visiting you on your porch is so soothing to me. I'm one who enjoys quiet and serenity too. I treasured your message today.
ReplyDeleteThank you bunches for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.
Plenty of quiet and serenity around here. And that's just the way I like it!
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What lovely photos and a great family picture, too. Thanks for sharing the book recommendations. They really appeal to me! I'm so glad you linked up with Grace & Truth.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Tammy
More books today, Tammy! Can there ever be enough time to read them all?
Deletehttp://www.lindastoll.net/2023/01/porch-74-for-dedicated-book-lovers.html
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Great to have you back, Linda.
ReplyDeleteLove your beautiful family photo and your collection of shells and sea glass.
Wishing you a blessed and joyous 2023!
Linda, I love your porch poem at the beginning of your posts! It invites a time of rest and peacefulness as did your words as I read them today. I think my words abide and savor invite me to slow down, take time for stillness and appreciate the moments of my days, giving thanks and praise to our great God. Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteAbide. Savor. Praise. What a transforming way to enter a year, to build your relationship with Christ, Gayl.
DeleteAwesome.
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