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quiet times

Linger and Listen : Encouragement for Divine Stillness

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In the hustle and bustle of our busy lives, it's easy to get swept up in a whirlwind of activities, responsibilities, and distractions. Even in the Summer months, we can often find ourselves rushing from one task to another, leaving little room for moments of quiet reflection. Yet, as Christians, we are called to something different—something deeper. We are called to linger and listen with the Lord.


Scripture invites us to slow down and dwell in the presence of God. One of the most profound invitations comes from Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I am God." This verse encourages us to pause and recognize the sovereignty and presence of our Creator. It’s an invitation to set aside our anxieties and distractions and to find peace in His presence.

Jesus Himself modeled this practice. In Mark 1:35, we read, "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." Jesus, amid His demanding ministry, knew the importance of withdrawing to spend quiet time with the Father. If the Son of God needed to linger and listen, how much more do we?


When we take time to linger in God's presence, we give space for the Holy Spirit to unfold our hearts and untangle our thoughts. In stillness, we are able to hear His gentle whispers, sense His direction, and feel His comforting embrace. This practice can transform our spiritual lives in several ways:

1. Deepened Relationships: Just as human relationships grow through quality time and attentive listening, our relationship with God deepens when we spend undistracted time in His presence.

2. Renewed Strength: Isaiah 40:31 promises, "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Waiting on the Lord rejuvenates our spirit and empowers us for the journey ahead.

3. Inner Peace: In the chaos of life, God's presence is our refuge. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us to bring everything to God in prayer, promising that His peace, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds.


You know I like to be practical, so here are some tips for ya:

1. Create a Sacred Space: Not everyone can designate a specific spot in the house and that's okay. The important thing is to seek a quiet space free from distractions, allowing you to focus entirely on God. I have favorite spots on my porch, my backyard, but sometimes the only private space (hello Mom & Wife Life) I have on some days is in the car or outside of the house. I may run errands and let them know I will be out for a time. This is one of the main reasons I choose to wake up before everyone else and almost have an almost guaranteed quiet. But for me, while I wake up and worship and pray, I may need to study later in the morning/day...God is not tapping His foot at us. He is simply eager to see you and talk to you, our sweet Father nd Friend.

2. Start with Worship: Begin your time with worship and reading your Bible. Worship is more than a song, its a position of seeking and adoration. We worship in song, prayer, and readying His Word. Let His heart consume yours and let His words wash over you. Then meditate on them and allow His heart to renew your mind and give you peace, strength, joy.

3. Linger and Listen: As you spend time in prayerful worship, sharing your thoughts, concerns, and praises with God, sit quietly, inviting Him to speak to your heart as you listen. Lean in to the Divine stillness. So often we pray all the things in adoration and asking but we quickly run off to our day's activities, without waiting to hear from God. Let's practice lingering and listening.

4. Journal Your Journey: I am not a traditional Journaler. I take notes and have journals, yes, but honestly, these blogs re my form of journaling. When The Lord pours in to my heart, I usually hop in here and blog it out or do a Live in the socials and share in hopes the moment I have gleaned specs to someone else too. So no matter how you document, keep a journal to record your thoughts, prayers, and any insights you receive. This can help you track your spiritual growth and remember God's faithfulness.

5. Pure Environment: What we allow our eyes to see, ears to hear and heart to connect to, matters greatly. We are shaped by our surroundings. While we cannot control what happens outside of our home, we have control within our homes. The friends, mentors, entertainment, music, social medias, all matter. Guarding your environment will mean creating boundaries around these areas of your life. Not everyone in your house may agree to them, but for you and your heart, do what you are abele to. 


If lingering and listening with the Lord is not a regular part of your routine, today is a perfect day to begin. Start small, perhaps with just five or ten minutes, and gradually extend your time as you grow more comfortable in His presence. Remember, it's never about perfection but about the posture of your heart.

As you make this practice a priority, you will find that your relationship with God becomes more intimate and your life more grounded in His peace and purpose for you. So, take a deep breath, find your quiet place, and embrace the divine stillness. Linger a little longer, listen a little deeper, and let the Lord transform your heart and mind.

Blessings as you linger and listen with the Lord.

So much love, 
Michele





If today's encouragement hugged your HEART today, let me know in the comments or meet me over
 in my Facebook Sisterhood Community! Feel free to share this blog with a friend who needs a heart hug too!
This is how YOU get to hug my HEART back!

Heart Hugs and Blessings,
Michele
I am so glad (and honored) you are here! I have been blogging since 2009 as a way to journal out my thoughts as I pray God would use these story shares as practical heart encouragements for YOU TOO! We all need to recall and share those Living Stone moments.
Feel free to look around and make yourself at home! 

If you're looking for Journals & Books, check these out over on HeartsFromGod.com too!!

If you are looking for an Online Sister Community 
?Are you an Introvert Rising?!? If you are looking for a Community of HEART Centered, Jesus Lovin' Sisters ready to rise up over their insecurities and seek after the Heart of God?!?  Meet us here! 

I share encouragement over on the Facebooks on my personal profile as well as the Encouragement Page Livin’ Where Faith Is on too.

I have two free resources for you: 
1.) If you'd like some help sharing YOUR story or testimony, here's a link to grab the fill in the blank PDF I created to help you get started sharing YOUR heart with others! There's a video that goes with it over in the But God Sister Squad Community on Facebook.

2.) www.CreatingSpaceforGrace.com is PDF I share the things I have done (and do) the help guard my peace on the daily!!! I get asked about this all the time, this is my practical resource guide!

Heart Hugs and Blessings,

Michele"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Ephesians 3:14-21 ESV


Pssst...by Law, I have to share there are affiliate links in here where I earn money from your purchase when you make a purchase! it's affiliate marketing and I love not having to sell stuff! And you know me, I am not gonna sell anything, but I will share everything! I love it! 

A Little About My Heart

 
Born and raised in the church, a Christ Follower, Kingdom Encourager, Wife, Mama, and an Overcomer! GLORY TO GOD!!

I lived most of my life fearful, anxious, and insecure.. I found myself always hiding but serving, striving for perfection in my less-thanness, as a way to earn my worth to self, God and others, sacrificing in the name of serving, hospitality and humility...putting others needs before my own from a place of hiding in my lack, and trying to earn value rather than serving in the space of grace, confident faith and overflowing love. 

Never attaining, only to lead a life of more insecurity, overwhelm, anxiety, and panic, screaming to break free from this bondage, to be that actual strong, courageous Christian Woman everyone else seemed to be, but me. 

BUT GOD.

In 2009, Where Faith Is was born as a blog, learning my voice behind the safety of a keyboard, building courage to speak my truth behind the screen...and here all these years later, Little by little, God is expanding my heart boundaries as He reveals more of His to me. I am so excited to share so freely! 

I especially love being an encourager to other encouragers in the faith who know they are called to encourage yet they themselves struggle with their value and ability. Isn't that how the enemy works? He tries to disqualify us in the same area we are called to shine! What an irony!  

I believe if more people let go of fear and insecurity, surrendered to grace and BELIEVED their value, their spark for life will return to a roaring fire that lights up wet wood! 

When women choose to walk courageous and strong in body, mind and spirit...they step out of the boat and walk on water as Peter did, part the waters like Moses and set more people FREE in His name through their Divine purpose to the Glory of GOD! We are each a Light House of Strength on the shorelines of Grace . 

Friend, you may not believe it, but you are meant for more than eat/sleep/work/repeat. You are also equipped with good works to serve and bless the Kingdom Body, and the world with His Love, through YOU! You've got to surrender your fear and let Him lead you.

You are more able than you think you are and most likely, the thing you feel is the weakest part of you is the strongest thing about you!

If you are an introvert too and want to be a part of our newly launching online community, we are here for you!! Let's Connect! It's an honor to encourage the Encouragers.

I am H.I.S. (Heart In Surrender & Service).

Hugs & Blessings, 
Michele

"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:1-4

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