“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest’”
~ Mark 6:31 (NIV)

It was Friday after a full work week in Colorado with a lot of people time. This introvert counted down the hours until she could be at home in her comfy clothes—alone.  Before flying out of Denver, I headed to the Colorado Black Forest where I could have some silent time in the woods.

I picked up a pinecone at the trail head and carried it with me along the path. I noticed more pinecones beckoning for my attention and picked them up.  As I held six of them in my arms, I noticed my body feeling anxious. Some of them had freshly fallen and even hurt to hold.

One by one, I put them down naming what I was holding. I’d then pick up another batch and then put them down, always holding onto the one I had from the very beginning of my walk.  I came to a bench along the way and sat down, still holding the one pinecone. I could hear the birds above me and the wind in the trees.  

In this season, I have struggled with silence because when I get quiet, my to-do list gets louder; the expectations for myself get really loud; and my accuser loudly declares a bunch of shoulds and should nots.

Then I’m overwhelmed with what I’m holding and struggle to release. 

As I sat on that bench, I wondered and pondered with God: 

What do You want me to hold?  

Linger.  

The Lord reminded me of my word for this year.   

Linger with Me.  

He wasn’t asking me to hold anything, but space with Him. That was enough.  

I left my first and last pinecone close to the bench and continued the journey.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” ~ 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

Reflect:

• What do you notice happens both externally and internally when you’re silent? What voices are the loudest? 

• Where do you see resistance to silence? Could there be something the Lord wants to highlight in your resistance?  

• If you have the opportunity, take a walk with Jesus and pick up something along the path. Ask Him what you’re holding onto in this season and what He desires for you to hold right now.