Five Minutes {day twenty-two}
>> Wednesday, February 22, 2012 –
29 Days of Quiet,
rest,
slow,
small moments
I recently left a comment on a blog post by my friend Amy. She wrote about rest and where and how we find it, and I realized as I read her post [and I'm sorry I can't find the exact post to link to!] that although I don’t have large expanses of quality “rest time” in my life, I have learned to snatch snippets of it when I can.
I used to leave my office at the very last second before racing across town to pick up my kids from school. It was always about dashing off one more email, or writing two more lines of ad copy or running the proof back down to the graphics department on my way out the door. Then I’d speed across town and arrive at the school doors breathless and frenzied and sweating in my parka.
Now I leave my office five minutes earlier. Just five minutes. I pull the mini-van to the curb in front of the school, shift into park and then sit with the engine idling and the heat blasting.
I don’t listen to the radio or text or chat on the phone or write a grocery list. I just sit. Sometimes I close my eyes. Occasionally I pray. Mostly I gaze out the window and breathe.
It’s just five minutes. But it’s amazing what a difference those minutes make.
Where do you snatch your five minutes of rest?
And linking with Laura, because rest is a form of playing, too:
And linking with Laura, because rest is a form of playing, too:
Mama Zen, you are the winner of yesterday's drawing for Sarah Young's Jesus Calling children's devotional! I need your mailing address so I can send out the book. Congratulations!!
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I am blessed with a lifestyle that allows moments of rest quite often. Not always...but most days. I find that I am VERY thankful for this because I remember the days when I frantically raced from one thing to the next. Now those days are the exception - not the rule.
Love this reflection, Michelle. Thank you!
I wanted to thank you for the Lent devotional booklet. I began it this morning, and I look forward to using your meditations and the Bible readings during this Lenten season. Even though I am long past the school pick-up stage, I can still relate to the desire to do "just one more thing" before rest - the life of an overachiever, I suppose. Thanks for these thoughts this morning. (And as I read your Lenten devotional on this Ash Wednesday, I also remembered you and your family as you walk the journey of grieving for your father-in-law. Blessings and Peace to you and yours, Michelle!)
There's one ugly (now covered) chair in our house that's extremely comfortable. The sun shines down on it from a bay window in the afternoon. I curl up there often.
I'm so happy that I won!
I snatch a little quiet time in the school pick-up line, too.
I a warm sunny spot, especially in the midst of winter. Sometimes I am like a cat curled up in a sun spot on the couch or even the floor!
You are so very welcome, Kim - I pray that you find the booklet useful all the way through Lent. And thank you, too, for the prayers for my family during this grieving time. It was so healing for me to write those devotions during the time that my father-in-law was dying - they helped me quietly focus in on God.
All in good time, right Mary? Sometimes I think I wish my life away, pining for the "next phase" that will undoubtably be quieter. It's important for me to focus on the goodness that is now, and snatch those rare quiet moments when I can.
Love you, Mary! Thanks for being such an encouragement during this series!
I keep thinking I want to say, "good for you, in taking those five minutes to rest." But I think what I really want to say is, "good for you, in receiving those minutes as God's gift."
Five minutes can provide amazing benefits for our soul and state of mind when we spend them just "being." Without texting or any background noise. Thank you for pointing out that it doesn't have to be hours at a time. Some days, that's possible. But for today, 5 minutes may be all we can squeeze in. And it's okay.
I am memorizing the Beatitudes with Ann this year, and I'm always captured by the way it begins with Jesus going up on the mountain and then sitting. He only had a few brief moments before the disciples came to Him, but I think - like you - He was refreshed in those quiet moments.
I get to sit for many minutes these days but what i need to do is feel peace in those minutes - thank you
I love small breaks in my routine, too. Mine usually involve a cup of tea.
Fondly,
Glenda
Love this idea!
I get up early in the morning before everyone else. That's my time.
This is a great way to pause life for a moment!
You know that I am retired, and we live in rest --- but I remember how frantic I would make my days when I worked. I would just run, run, run, run, and then have no idea exactly where I had been. So dumb of me -- I mean, if I'm gonna run, I need to know the dadgum route, don't ya think?
The most restful place for me is on my deck in the afternoons. I take the cat out [Tallulah is an indoor gal] and let her sniff the air. I sit there and take it in too, but mostly through the eyes. :)
I'm glad you have taken your five minutes -- just think -- in a week that's 25 minutes, and in your life as you are busy with work, kids, husband, writing, answering my blog comments -- well, that's a lot of time. Savor it.
Hugs.
It's true. They are a gift from Him, indeed. It's just a matter of recognizing it as that, and seizing the gifts when they come.
Any spot in the house where the sun might land through a window. You may not remember, but last week you called my granddaughter a sweet pudge muffin on FB. I'll have you know it's become a favorite nickname for Miss Tilly :)
just like you, I have learned to be early, as much as half an hour to just have slowdown time, organize, regather my thoughts and prayers; It makes all the difference