Sandra Heska King

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Still Saturday: So We Might Know Him

June 30, 2012 By Sandra Heska King


In a culture where busyness is a fetish and stillness is laziness, rest is sloth. But without rest, we miss the rest of God: the rest he invites us to enter more fully so that we might know him more deeply. “Be still, and know that I am God.” Some knowing is never pursued, only received. And for that, you need to be still. ~Mark Buchanan in The Rest of God

 

Welcome to Still Saturday where we pause after a busy week, move in quiet pilgrimage, maybe linger a while in some still place, and soak in the beauty of images and words. We’d love for you to join us. Get the details above, grab your favorite button, and link up below. We all love to hear if something especially speaks to your heart, but please don’t feel pressured to comment. Simply take some time to gaze long and drink deep.

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Filed Under: stories and reflections

Comments

  1. Christina says

    June 29, 2012 at 9:25 pm

    “Be still and know..” is my verse for this year. Still learning how to rest in Him, even in the midst of a busy life. Beautiful, calming photos. Blessings!

    • Sandra says

      June 29, 2012 at 9:52 pm

      Definitely words to live by! I’m learning, too. So glad you’re here, Christina.

  2. S. Etole says

    June 29, 2012 at 9:48 pm

    The position in which you caught that swan is superb!

    • Sandra says

      June 29, 2012 at 9:51 pm

      I never saw the foot when I snapped. Almost every photo has it. Fun, huh?

  3. Shelly Miller says

    June 29, 2012 at 9:59 pm

    I love that book, its one of my favs. And Mark Buchanan, he is in my top three favorite Christian authors. He never disappoints. You just have so much fun with the camera. We both enjoy a good beauty scavenger hunt I think.

    • Sandra says

      June 29, 2012 at 10:09 pm

      I think we do. Can you imagine what it will be like when we meet up, maybe go hiking?

  4. Patricia @ Pollywog Creek says

    June 29, 2012 at 11:02 pm

    Beautiful photos and thoughts, Sandy. That swan and his webbed foot – too cool.

    • Sandra says

      June 30, 2012 at 4:41 am

      Thanks, Patricia. Love to you this weekend. Get ready to get your praise on.

  5. diana says

    June 30, 2012 at 1:00 am

    Gasp. Thank you for these beautiful words and photos. Hope your weekend is indeed lovely and quiet, dear Sandy.

    • Sandra says

      June 30, 2012 at 4:43 am

      It will indeed be quiet. Possibly. Our Grace is gone for a week. I have big, quiet plans–part of which include no plans at all. 🙂

  6. ELK says

    June 30, 2012 at 9:10 am

    filled with beautiful stillness .. happy to rest here

    • Sandra says

      July 1, 2012 at 10:06 am

      Can’t tell you how happy I am to rest with you, Elaine.

  7. Laurie Collett says

    June 30, 2012 at 10:18 am

    May we always find our rest in Him, and take the time to hear His still, small voice! Thanks for the great post and for hosting the linkup.

    • Sandra says

      July 1, 2012 at 10:05 am

      Thanks so much, Laurie. Yes, Him, and Him alone. Thank you for joining in.

  8. Jennifer Richardson says

    June 30, 2012 at 10:51 am

    isn’t that just the sweetest way of grace
    …the way He pursues us
    and calls us to rest and be still
    makes my heart feel cherished
    and valued
    like nothing else I know:)
    thanks for the beautiful stir
    to remember and unfold,
    Jennifer

    • Sandra says

      July 1, 2012 at 10:04 am

      You have the most beautiful way with words, Jen. Thank you.

  9. Donna says

    June 30, 2012 at 11:04 am

    Beautiful. I love the swan with his foot sticking out. So graceful.

    • Sandra says

      July 1, 2012 at 10:04 am

      🙂 That was an accident. I took that photo from quite a distance. Never saw the little paddle until I downloaded it.

      And now I need some blueberry lemon ricotta pancakes! Yum.

  10. Michelle DeRusha says

    June 30, 2012 at 11:15 am

    Oh Sandy, I am so guilty of that – busyness is my fetish.

    Love your photos, dear lady – especially that gorgeous hydrangea (is that what it is?).

    • Sandra says

      July 1, 2012 at 10:01 am

      That part about stillness being seen as laziness and rest as sloth really spoke to me. Because that’s how I feel sometimes when I slow down and look at all that *needs* to be done. And sometimes I’ve thought of the quiet moments and the quiet time with God as tools to get more done. That’s oh not so good when the whole focus should be Him and Him alone.

      And I don’t know about the flowers. I took that photo on our recent zoo excursion. They grow next to a building which sits next to the rhino and across from the meerkats. It has the most intoxicating fragrance that just wafts all over. I asked about it on their facebook page, and they were going to check, but I haven’t gotten a response yet. I may just have to call because whatever it is, I want one.

  11. Jen Ferguson says

    June 30, 2012 at 5:32 pm

    I’ve been back to struggling with rest. But I am realizing I cannot compare what is restful for me with what is restful for others. I must be in tune with my own body, my own soul.

    • Sandra says

      July 1, 2012 at 9:52 am

      Oh, you speak truth here, friend. That comparison trap is a killer in so many ways. Even when it comes to rest. It’s so important to know ourselves, how He uniquely wired us. Love you, friend.

  12. Jen says

    June 30, 2012 at 5:59 pm

    I thought I left a comment when I linked up, but I don’t see it now that I am back to visit.

    Anyway, I said something along the lines of how your post is confirmation for me that I have not been resting well. I tend to judge my need for rest by looking at everyone else instead of being in tune with my own body and soul.

    • Sandra says

      July 1, 2012 at 9:44 am

      For some strange reason, that first comment went to the spam cellar. But I fished you out. I understand–I’ve been being sent to the dungeon a lot when I comment in Disqus. 🙂

      • diana says

        July 1, 2012 at 11:48 am

        The strangest thing is, Sandy, that you’re NOT sent to the spam list at my place. If you were, I could fish you out. No, you show up already on the comment list when I check the moderate place – and there is no option there to ‘fish’ you out, only to delete…or…maybe mark as spam -I’m just thinking – maybe I could get you out that way! Hmmm. have to check that out after church.

        • Sandra says

          July 1, 2012 at 11:55 am

          In other words, I’m invisible? 😉

          So you’re thinking about sending me to the spammer–on purpose–and then taking pity on me?

          What about the Disqus help people? They went specifically to your place and didn’t see an issue. Maybe you could explain the “problem” better than I did. 😀

  13. Valerie Freer says

    July 1, 2012 at 11:46 am

    Building a community around the ‘being set apart’ that is the rest and stillness of God’s Sabbath day is such a gracious ministry, Sandra. Thank you for creating this place where we can rest together, mindful of and sharing the witness to His blessings…

    I have enjoyed visiting the sites of those who share here and look forward to future Saturdays, in addition to visits during the weeks ahead.

    • Sandra says

      July 3, 2012 at 9:29 pm

      So glad to have you join us, Valerie.

  14. Lynn Mosher says

    July 1, 2012 at 12:19 pm

    Beautiful! I love it! The swan is gorgeous!

    • Sandra says

      July 3, 2012 at 9:29 pm

      🙂 xo

Trackbacks

  1. My Soul Thirsts | Life Images says:
    July 1, 2012 at 9:41 am

    […] with Deidra Riggs and Sandra Heska King, and the Kennedy […]

  2. Gifts « My Life As An Adventure says:
    July 8, 2012 at 7:21 pm

    […] the Better Mom, a Mama’s Story, Denise in Bloom, Play Dates with God, Hear it on Sunday, Still Saturday, Bible Love Notes, What Joy is Mine, Graceful Summer, Thankful Thursday and Create with Joy Share […]

  3. / My Soul Thirsts / Diane W. Bailey says:
    January 28, 2013 at 4:45 pm

    […] with Deidra Riggs and Sandra Heska King, and the Kennedy […]

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I’ve gotten several messages asking if things we I’ve gotten several messages asking if things were okay. Yes. I’ve recovered after 3 weeks in Covid jail. Also, I’ve been a bit scarce on social cuz we’ve been finishing up house renovations, and there is SO much that now needs to be cleaned and stuff put away. Also, we’ve had the second oldest grand with us for two weeks. I “should have” at least shared some stories about our adventures, but we’ve relished the time and kept busy. One can’t leave South Florida without a gator encounter, though, right? Tomorrow the two of us fly back to Michigan, and then I will spend a week with my sister where I expect I will be put to work in the chicken house and the gardens and become a glad(iola) roadside proprietor for a day at the Four Star in while she and my BIL attend a family reunion. I’ll also get to see my dad in the nursing home and spend a couple nights with my daughter. D will hold down the fort here. Then maybe by the first of next month, I’ll be able to finish putting things in order, breathe, find some writing space and get back to normal. Whatever that is.
I tossed and turned all night. And then the storm I tossed and turned all night. And then the storm started. I finally got up about 5ish and sat outside to watch. Until a couple mosquitoes found me. Also, the jasmine hadn’t gone to bed yet and smelled heavenly.
Sunday evening. That is all. Sunday evening. That is all.
“The news is not and never has been, because it “The news is not and never has been, because it doesn’t talk about the small moments. Moments that matter to individuals, whatever they do or do not do in the grand scheme of things. And it is in those individual moments that belong to people, that deserve to be faced and remembered as much as every big, world-changing disaster. And nature, because it exists in the details, is too easy to elide, even when trying to talk about it.” ~ Sara Barkat in her introduction to Earth Song: A Nature Poems Experience
🍃
I had to look up “elide.” It’s not a typo. 😊
🍃
Sara goes on to write, “The structure of this book is that of a piece of music. The poems are to be read in order…”
🍃
The first poem she includes is Sara Teasdale’s “Lost Things” that starts, “”Oh, I could let the world go by / It’s loud new wonders and it’s wars / But how will I give up the sky…”
🍃
Good morning sky. Good morning moon. Good morning little bird flying to the moon. Good morning red bottlebrushes nodding in the breeze. It’s good to emerge from this Covid fog. Day 10.
“Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to “Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to be understood. . . Let me keep company always with those who say “Look!” and laugh in astonishment and bow their heads.” ~ Mary Oliver in “Mysteries, Yes”
🌱
No way could anyone ever convince me that this world in all its beauty and creativity and mysteries is here by accident.
Food truck night with a newcomer—@crepstick. So Food truck night with a newcomer—@crepstick. So yummy! I hope they come back.  But maybe not too often or I’ll have to do double time on the exercise.
“Embrace this day knowing and showing the world “Embrace this day knowing and showing the world that your God is more than enough for you.”
🌿
@tamiheim @tonibirdsong 
In @stickyJesus: How to Live Out Your Faith Online
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the str My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion.” Psalm 73:26 (ESV)
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I’d almost forgotten what quiet mornings on the patio were like. (Quiet except for the birds and the sound of the neighbor’s AC.)
So yesterday I saw my cardiologist. It was the fir So yesterday I saw my cardiologist. It was the first time he wanted to see me in 6 months instead of a year. He said my aortic stenosis had gotten worse. Like on the cusp of moderate to severe. 😬

So the first thing he asks me is, "How's you daughter?" Wait. Isn't this supposed to be about ME?

Then he asks if I've had any symptoms. "Well, I don't know. Maybe. I felt a little dizzy out of the blue a couple times. And felt like I couldn't catch my breath. I wouldn't have paid any attention if I didn't know I was supposed to be watching for symptoms. I DID walk all over Israel and up a bunch of steep hills, even all the way up to the Golan Heights--against the wind--without anything but normal fatigue.

He laughs. "I created a monster." Ummm, yeah.

"Have you been exercising?" 

"Well, yeah. We walk a couple miles a day. I'm back on my Nordictrack Strider." I didn't tell him I'd been lifting some light weights and some very heavy boxes and other items during this renovation, though I was told in December not to.

So he listens to the beating of my heart. Then he says, "Well, I don't think the valve is ripe yet. I don't expect you to have symptoms for three or four years. You don't need to come back for a year."

Wait! So you ask if I have symptoms. But you don't expect symptoms--yet. And when I do have symptoms, someone is gonna do something. And then I'll be older and maybe weaker. Or what if I have some sudden and silent symptom and boom! And now I have to worry about that. 

(In other news, my oldest grand texts me the other day, and our conversation runs like this... (continued in comments)
Last weekend we were in northern Michigan. And the Last weekend we were in northern Michigan. And there were lilacs. They even shook their heads over tornado-induced devastation. Look for the beauty and sweet scents in the midst of the mess. I miss the lilacs.
Yesterday’s morning view. We haven’t seen the Yesterday’s morning view. We haven’t seen the sun all day today.
When the folks in my hometown of Gaylord, Michigan When the folks in my hometown of Gaylord, Michigan ate their breakfast Friday morning, they had no idea what terror and devastation they'd face before dinner. Everyone has a story. You've probably seen pictures.

If not, take a peek at @mlivenews .

My great-nephew, not quite 12, had just gotten home from school when the EF-3 came down the street and left its mark on every home. My niece frantically tried to find her way from work through debris and blocked roads. My sister was 30 miles away visiting my dad in rehab. I don't want to know how fast my brother-in-law drove. 

The house and yard took a hit, worse than some, not as bad as others. A mobile home park was demolished--two deaths there. I heard one person is still missing. So many injured. So much awful. But the town is coming together for each other. Pray for them.

We plan to fly up Thursday--already planned to celebrate my dad's 95th birthday. 

Also, if anyone feels led to help, the Otsego Community Foundation and Otsego County United Way are accepting donations. Note “Tornado Relief.” Beware of any other fundraising requests.
Cutting tonight’s walk short. Stupid blue jay. N Cutting tonight’s walk short. Stupid blue jay. Not this one. A different one. But still. (My niece believes blue jays are a visitation from Grandma—my mom.) 
My shirt says “Walk in love. But I’m not feeling very loving. And if it WAS my Mom AKA Mother Mary Esther of the Order of Perpetual Birdwatchers, I’ll bet she’s having a good laugh. A passerby said she heard it was good luck and I should buy a lottery ticket tonight. In other news, I also banged my hip bone against our bed’s footboard and gave myself a mighty bruise. Then I burned my arm on the top of the grill. I did manage to wash all the knives without cutting myself and didn’t start any fires. So how was your day?
And now… “From the rising of the sun to the pl And now… “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.”
The world’s a mess, but His mercies are new. The world’s a mess, but His mercies are new.
When we were in Israel last month, we visited @yad When we were in Israel last month, we visited @yadvashem - the World Holocaust Center in Jerusalem. There wasn't enough time to spend nearly enough time. 

The Valley of the Communities was very moving. It's a labyrinth of stone from which there seems no way out. Our guide said It gives an idea of the endlessness of the horror. His parents emigrated from Vilna (the Jerusalem of Lithuania), before the Holocaust. In 1935, thirteen of his family members still remained there. By 1945 only one--an uncle--had survived. He wrote a book about them from a bundle of old letters. "One story out of millions."

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#Israel2022 #HolocaustRemembranceDay
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"It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say. It can happen, and it can happen everywhere.” ~ Primo Levi

From a post I wrote for @tspoetry after a visit to the @holocaustcenter.

https://www.tweetspeakpoetry.com/2016/07/27/regional-tour-holocaust-memorial-center-farmington-hills-michigan/
Stunning tree I parked near at Bible study yesterd Stunning tree I parked near at Bible study yesterday. I was in a rush and failed to snap the whole tree. I need to run back before the flowers fall. I think it’s a jacaranda? I want one.
Speaking of birds... bluejay in my backyard this a Speaking of birds... bluejay in my backyard this afternoon. I thought he was hurt, but I think he was just trying to cool off. (Maybe it's a young one.... unless it's the light?)
Someone should do something about that dog. She’ Someone should do something about that dog. She’s yelping and carrying on like she’s in some awful pain.
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