“Lingering
with those we love, particularly Jesus, is essential to healthy living. Far from causing us to lose our grip on
everything else, taking time out with Him makes us stronger and helps us handle
things more clear-minded and wholeheartedly.” Erin Keeley Marshall
When
I read the above words from the devotion book, Mornings with Jesus 2013, I was struck with the revelation that the times I had managed to escape from the
pressures of everyday life while I was growing up, raising a family, and even
today in my retiring years were not selfish.
They were times I was “lingering with Jesus” or as I like to say now,
“hanging out with Jesus.”
When
I was a youngster, I enjoyed playing with my neighborhood friends, but I also liked
being by myself. Countless times I would
quietly sit on our front porch with a book or paper and pencil. My observations were often written in poems
or plays. Other times I would climb my
favorite tree or take rest on the top of our house nook (thanks to the TV
antennae tower that stood nearby). Those moments alone as a youth refreshed my
soul which in those years I didn’t completely understand but now in retrospect,
those were the formative years leading to my personal relationship with Jesus.
In
college, I found myself needing periods of solitude. The challenges of school, sorority, social
relationships, and other life-changing issues stacked high, at times
daily. In those moments, I found relief
by being alone, but by this time I
wanted to be alone with Jesus. I needed His peace. And I discovered it in a couple of unusual
places: a designated research room on
the third floor of the college library and sitting under a big cottonwood
behind the sorority house where I lived.
Both provided the quiet and restoration I needed in my communication
with Jesus.
After
I was married with a growing family, I continued my quest for alone time with
Jesus, which was a challenge. However, I
soon discovered that “waiting” in the car to pick up my kids from school, from
various athletic practices, from piano lessons, and from other related
activities allowed me some quiet time.
In fact, many times I would arrange to arrive early just so I could sit
in peace J During those moments,
Jesus often spoke to me through the Holy Spirit. With my eyes closed, I could
sense an inner strengthening of my physical body as well as clarity of my
mind. Granted, those moments didn’t
happen every day due to interruptions or other involvements, but when they did
occur, they brought me reassurance of His special presence and even an attitude
change that I often needed.
Now,
as an empty-nester with what seems like all kinds of quiet time, I find I still
need to be alone with Jesus in a special place.
Again, my car serves as that place.
There’s something about sitting in my car beside a park or by a lake
that draws me to my Jesus. I linger and
enjoy His presence, “hanging out “ together.
Now, if
by chance you need some quiet time, may I suggest finding a place where you can
be alone and “hang out” with the best companion anyone could ask for, our
Savior Jesus. The benefits are worth
it!!
“You, LORD, are my shepherd. I
will never be in need. You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to
streams of peaceful water, and you refresh my life. You are true to your name,
and you lead me along the right paths.” Psalm 23: 1-3 (Contemporary English Version)
“The LORD your God wins victory after victory and is always with you.
He celebrates and sings because of you, and he will refresh your life with his
love.” Zephaniah 3:17 (Contemporary
English Version)
