A Do-Nothing Time
I had a do-nothing morning one day last week. I sat knitting for a bit in the Thinking Room where the Mouse House is tucked behind a comfy chair, with my feet on an ottoman that hides tutus and dress up clothes for the grandgirlies. My Daughter-in-Law sat with me, feeding her newest son, while her three-year-old discovered all the hidden qualities of the Thinking Room, like a little mouse family and it’s tea-cups, pinwheels and party hats. . . a rare treat because you really need to be four to enter the Thinking Room.
. . . and in the do-nothingness of the morning, I thought how nothing isn’t an empty thing – nothing moments are full of possibilities, of priceless blessing!
During another do-nothing hour, I sat friends around the kitchen table sharing a plate of scones, listening and talking about expectations and relationships with our loving Father. . . good things happen in the do-nothing hours where the only requirement is stepping out of the whirlwind to sit – and others are invited into the do-nothing hour – the good things become even better.
Sometimes do-nothing hours are only 15 minutes – like when my boys stop in the kitchen or the family room, drop down on the couch while I’m there, or find a stool at the kitchen counter, for a grilled cheese and stew, or whatever I’m cooking. . . and in the do-nothing minutes, this mom’s heart is filled.
Do-nothing moments with friends, with grandbabies, and these sons and daughter-in-laws – there’s nothing empty about those times – the sweetest things are found in do-nothing moments. But there’s another kind of do-nothing moment I need. . .a do-nothing moment even more stripped down – stripped down to just still moments where I meet Him, where I soak in that He is God, and just let my soul settle into the rhythm of His grace. . . a Father-Daughter time. . . that restores my soul. . .
“Come to me.
Get away with me
and you’ll recover your life.
I’ll show you how to take a real rest.
Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
Keep company with me
and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
~ Matthew 11: 28a-30
There’s still a lot of busy in our house, in the schedule. . . this week it changes, adds a little more, but I need to find those do-nothing opportunities He provides – the ones with my community – and most importantly, the ones with Him. . . .
Thank you, Father, for the blessings in the do-nothing moments with the people you give me – and thank you for the moments where I just stop, still my busyness and draw close to find you. I pray that in the crazy chaos of this week, you will pull me into those moments with you, that I listen intentionally, watch vigilantly, draw energy out of Holy Spirit reserves to meet you in those God-designed moments I need so very much! Thank you, Dad – for always being there! ~ Love, your daughter!
Remember Me Monday: #21 & Linky
“I’ll make a list of God’s gracious dealings,
all the things God has done that need praising,
All the generous bounties of God,
his great goodness to the family of Israel—
Compassion lavished,
love extravagant.”
~ Isaiah 63:7, The Message
In the Old Testament, God repeatedly, quietly and loudly, tells his children, “You have forgotten me!” (Jeremiah 3:32, Ezekiel 22:12, to name a few). It’s a heart cry from a father to a child who has forgotten all the love, all the saving, helping, little and big blessings – and it leaves me stunned when I realize our Father, the creator of the universe, who knows things I cannot begin to fathom, who authors storylines that leave me amazed, delights in all of us so much, He cries out, “Remember Me.”
While every day is a Remember God Day, I am inviting you to join me on Monday mornings to come by and remember what God has done for you, for your family. Maybe God sent a cardinal darting out in front of you, as if to tell you, “I’m here,” or broke a child’s fever after you laid it all down at His feet in a 2 a.m. bedside vigil. Maybe He stood with you in the wait of a prayer sent out, or brought someone you loved to Christ. Maybe He healed your broken heart, gave your courage, or you gave Him your dreams as a love offering only to have Him give them back in an unimaginable way. Maybe God helped you survive to bedtime after a crazy Monday, or forgive yourself for missing it with your kiddos –– Whatever it is, let’s Remember Him. . . in a “Remember Me Monday” love letter.
“My mouth will tell of your righteousness,
Of your salvation all the day long,
Though I know not its measure.
I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord”
~ Psalm 71:15-16.
Let us delight in Him by telling the stories of what He’s done! If you wrote a blog post remembering what He’s done for you, join the linky. If you didn’t but still want to praise Him for what He’s done – write it in the comment section. Then visit a comment before or after yours! One of the beautiful things about the blogging community is the relationships it builds!
Rules? Write long or short, a list or a story, include photos or not. Just Remember Him and what He has done, and let the gratitude of your heart guide you. Let’s make Monday so Rejoice, that the goodness of God spills into the rest of the week!
Places I’m Linking at This Week:
Inspire Me Monday, Grace & Truth,
Purposeful Faith, Tell His Story,
https://welcomeheart.com/blog, Worth Beyond Rubies,
Share a Link Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee,
Grace and Truth, Faith on Fire,
I am so grateful He gives me these moments to remind me of the most important things in life – loving God and loving others.
They are indeed gifts that open our eyes to Him! Shalom, Joanne! ~ Maryleigh
What a sweet post. I tend to be more task-oriented as I have gotten older, but some of the sweetest moments with both family and the Lord are those times with no agenda but being together and enjoying the fellowship.
I understand being task-oriented – if I wasn’t, I would never get out of bed! But I love it when He surprises me in un-anticipated moments! Shalom, Barbara! ~ Maryleigh
I needed this reminder right now at this very minute! I don’t “do nothing” well. There is always something I am thinking to myself I need to do. In fact, RIGHT BEFORE I sat down to tend to some blog stuff, I had texted my daughter and told her “I think I’m going to allow myself to sit and read.” I no sooner hit the send button and then I realized I hadn’t posted this week’s blog post on social media and here I sit… But God had a Divine appointment for me right here with you. Because even before I realized I hadn’t done what I needed to with my blog post, before I would allow myself to read I was thinking, well I need to do my Bible reading first. And although this is indeed the best way to spend time, being a Pastor’s wife and women’s ministry leader, I am doing all the ministry things, but not having time just to relax and read a book, which is also important to do. It’s also important for me to “just sit with the Lord” as you described.
Thanks so much for this post and for encouraging me to take part in more do-nothing moments.
Praying, Karen, we both find the do-nothing moments where God meets us and those God leaves us!Trying to find those moments today! ~ Maryleigh
I love this and I cherish the do-nothing moments. When I remember to stop and notice them.
I’m trying to teach myself to be intentional – not muscle memory but maybe soul memory? I’m a slow learner – so by the time I’m 100 I hope to have this nailed down! Praying we both find those moments this week! ~ Maryleigh
What a beautiful post Maryleigh! Those do nothing times are such fun. Especially sitting with our heavenly Father…ahhhh.
Blessings,
Jennifer
Thank you, Jennifer – praying we both find those times this week! Shalom! ~ Maryleigh
He refreshes our soul when we ‘be still’ in His presence. Yes, the do-nothing moments are rich with opportunities and blessings.
Praying, Christine, that you find much refreshing and blessing in the do-nothing moments this weekend! Thanks for coming by! ~ Maryleigh
“Nothing moments are full of possibilities, of priceless blessing” – love this line. I also “need to find those do-nothing opportunities He provides” with Him. Great post, thank you for this reminder to cherish the do-nothing moments. Your Thinking Room sounds great – i want one of those 🙂
My Thinking Room couldn’t be an office – because it doesn’t have a file cabinet – and it couldn’t be a library because I think two walls filled with books are needed to be called a library – so the literalist in me found peace with The Thinking Room! LOL Praying this weekend, you find blessing and refreshing in the do-nothing places! Shalom Wemi! ~ Maryleigh
This post fits right into the word I am considering for next year – empty. You proved to yourself that your do-nothing time was anything but nothing!
Empty is never empty if God’s in it! I am looking forward to hearing more about this word for your next year! I love the multi-dimensional way God speaks to us – even the same ideas come out differently, more beautifully, more deeply!
Those sweet moments of fellowship with loved one and with our Heavenly Father are all so important and special!
Those are the moments that keep me anchored and steady!
I love “do-nothing” times although I feel guilty about them. But I shouldn’t. As you say, they are valuable! I’ve been more intentional this year with taking Sunday as an “off day” and it helps clear my mind and heart for the new week ahead. Thanks for setting the example.