Sandra Heska King

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Still Saturday: Solitude of Heart

September 14, 2012 By Sandra Heska King

When we live with a solitude of heart,

we can listen with attention to the words and the worlds of others,

but when we are driven by loneliness,

we tend to select just those remarks and events

that bring immediate satisfaction to our own craving needs.

~Henri Nouwen in Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life

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. Shelly Miller says

    September 14, 2012 at 11:09 pm

    I had to read that three times to let it steep. That quote is revealing and a bit convicting too. Hope you have a great weekend Sandy.

  2. Dolly@Soulstops says

    September 14, 2012 at 11:10 pm

    so true…love Nouwen….great photo, Sandra 🙂 hope you get to experience solitude this weekend 🙂

  3. Kris says

    September 14, 2012 at 11:33 pm

    Wow. What an excellent quote–and that image? I Love it. Enjoy your weekend, may it be restful, and quiet, full of holy moments amid the mundane.

  4. ~ Patricia says

    September 15, 2012 at 5:07 am

    So true – and loneliness feeds my self-centeredness. Hope your weekend is one of solitude and not loneliness because you are surrounded by the love of Christ. xox

  5. Wendy @ E1A says

    September 15, 2012 at 6:00 am

    Great words!

  6. Martha Orlando says

    September 15, 2012 at 7:36 am

    Wonderful photo and quote . . .
    Blessings, Sandy!

  7. Laura says

    September 15, 2012 at 9:06 am

    Oh, how I love that Henri Nouwen.

  8. Jean Wise says

    September 15, 2012 at 9:12 am

    I just love Henri Nouwen and his word continue to draw us deeper. Reaching Out is one of his best books too. Great choice as a quote today.

  9. Jen says

    September 15, 2012 at 10:04 am

    Guilty. I so want to listen with a pure heart, one that lives for Him alone so that I may serve, graciously.

  10. Courtney says

    September 15, 2012 at 10:10 am

    The distinction between solitude and loneliness – profound. So glad you shared this.

  11. Maureen says

    September 15, 2012 at 11:34 am

    Amazing quote. As Patricia said, loneliness feeds our self-centeredness. Painfully true. I love the distinction, that solitude of heart opens us, makes us sensitive to others. Beautiful. Copied this into my journal. Thank you.

  12. Mary says

    September 15, 2012 at 11:40 am

    Great quote with a very deep message. Thanks for sharing, it certainly is something we need to think about.

  13. Danise Jurado says

    September 15, 2012 at 12:04 pm

    Lovely quote… may my heart always be peaceful enough to truly hear the voices of others around me…Blessings to you 🙂

  14. Laurie Collett says

    September 15, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    Awesome photo & quote! Thanks so much for hosting, & God bless!

  15. Michele-Lyn says

    September 15, 2012 at 2:43 pm

    Beautiful as always… and I shared your words at my place. Thank you for allowing me to 🙂 You are blessing to this seeking heart…

  16. Nancy Franson says

    September 15, 2012 at 4:40 pm

    Driven by loneliness–I’m thinking about this as well as all the other distractions that keep me from focusing on others and their words. Good stuff to chew on for the weekend. Blessings, Sandra.

  17. S. Etole says

    September 15, 2012 at 6:41 pm

    This is especially meaningful. Love that image.

  18. Megan Willome says

    September 16, 2012 at 9:11 pm

    Solitude vs. loneliness. I know the difference when I’m in it.

  19. Wendy says

    September 17, 2012 at 11:44 pm

    So thankful for your words each week. You are such a blessing friend.

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https://sandraheskaking.substack.com/p/ten-years-ten-things
Spent a couple hours this morning with friends fro Spent a couple hours this morning with friends from @spanishriverchurch picking up beach trash. Little bits of colored and clear plastic, big bits of plastic, bottle caps, broken glass, strings, ropes, straws, socks, fast food containers, paper, cigarette holders and filters—and a couple unmentionables. Took extra care around the turtle nests. Last count was about 70 pounds, but there were also some bigger things like an abandoned chair and a plastic tent. And a big piece of burlap or something with a fishing lure and giant hook attached. D found a Macy’s gift card that he almost tossed in his bucket. But we brought it home to check the balance—$24.60! We should be able to turn that into something useful for someone. 😊
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The cats attacked the window all night. The dog wo The cats attacked the window all night. The dog woofed all night. This morning we discovered the would-be burglar imprisoned between the screen and the glass on our bedroom slider. 

When I stepped out to release it (no bail), I was surprised by this brief bit of backyard beauty.
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Thinking some may have tumbled from their perches last night. Pretty sure it will be raining iguanas tonight since we are under a frost advisory. It's cold. And windy.
Just sing... sing a song... Singing our way into Just sing... sing a song... 

Singing our way into the weekend.
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