I read a whole book in the last two days. I can’t remember when last I did that. My life is usually so stop-and-go between wiping bottoms, reading Spiderman chronicles, and picking up stray cherios from all over the planet. But when stranded between time zones on an airplane, there are suddenly glorious hours of reading freedom and so I did.
Somewhere More Holy – Stories from a bewildered father, stumbling husband, reluctant handman and prodigal son. By Tony Woodlief.
And he puts into words what I’ve been feeling lately. Maybe you have too? Sometimes quiet is good. Sometimes an ocean of quiet has to start somewhere – even if it’s only for a couple of days on this here little blog of mine.
“I’ve heard people say that a parent’s relationship with his children is like God’s relationship with us. We constantly need correction and guidance, but always he has forgivenessness welling up from a deep heart of love that only a parent can begin to fathom. If you want to understand how God can forgive your repeated sins, have children. Yet even with this love comes frustration; one can almost hear it when God says to his children: Be still, and know that I am God.
Be still. Be quiet. Even the Almighty wanted his kids to shut their yaps sometimes. I’m beginning to understand that many of the things my mother did were not, in fact, proofs of mental illness, but merely symptoms of parenthood.
Some days we just need a little blessed silence.”
amen! :)
“Sometimes an ocean of quiet has to start somewhere – even if it’s only for a couple of days on this here little blog of mine.” Beautifully said!
I am glad you had time and opportunity to read and relax. It is good. Even Jesus got away to have quiet and peaceful moments. Good job.
My Mom would sometimes say, “I can’t even hear myself think!.” I understand. There are some times I just have to shut everything off and let the quiet fill the room – so I can think, hear His voice, just be.
Oh, the blessed quiet! Yes! I can surely relate. I keep stumbling across that book and have a feeling it will be on my nightstand soon.
You and me both, sister…
And that picture of your Dad?
I can feel the spray of the water and wind — and the silence.
*Thank you.*
“picking up stray Cherios from all over the planet.” – Spectacularly worded
The author of the book is right. I’ve never had my own child. But there is my sister, who I kind of adopted after our mom left this earth – and my father abdicated ownership. She was kind of my mom’s dying gift to me.
I got to feel that love that is greater than a love of myself, and the crazy way that what SHE felt – I felt,
and the protectiveness that made me confront a 250 pound muscle bound fool just to keep her safe
and the unremitting heartache of having to give her away to another man I barely knew – and could only hope would protect my treasure the way I did, on her wedding day.
Oooof – I guess in a way I’ve had a child – just not my own. This is why I read only mommy bloggers – I have never read a man’s blog that has made me cry and you moms do this with alarming regularity.
Ok – deep breath.
I missed your words while you were gone. I’m glad you’re back.
I birthed my twin blogs in your absence.
I’d be honored if you pitter pattered down the hall to the hospital nursery and looked through the big window :)
I heart your words
Oh, yes. How I crave silence some days…. today….
I’m so glad you have had some quiet time! Funny you should be talking about forgiveness… that is exactly what I am writing about for my (In)courage submission. Working on it…
Love this picture of your Dad by the ocean, what a perfect image for this reflection. Here’s to more beautiful moments of nature inspired awe. We all need them.
I just read that book recently, too — it made a big impact on me. I wrote about it on my blog, too — although about a different topic. Anyway, glad you are enjoying are bit of rest. It soothes to soul.
I love what you said about “symptoms of parenthood”…thank you for the reminder that sometimes quiet is a good thing.
Glad you were able to have some quiet time. That books sounds really good, I think I may have to pick it up and read it soon.
~blessings