“In the summer, I seem to spend my days between the stove and the typewriter, with time out for walking the dogs to the brook, bearing the big red clippers which help to clear the path.
“I sit on my favourite rock, looking over the brook, to take time away from the busy-ness, time to be. I’ve long since stopped feeling guilty about taking being time; it’s something we all need for our spiritual health, and often we don’t take enough of it . . .
“When I am constantly running, there is no time for being. When there is no time for being, there is no time for listening. I will never understand the silent dying of the green pie-apple tree if I do not slow down and listen to what the Spirit is telling me, telling me of the death of trees, the death of planets, of people, and what all these deaths mean in the light of love of the Creator who brought them all into being; who brought me into being; and you.” ~Madeleine L’Engle , Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art
Still listening,
Sandy
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 on the left, 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.
Dear Sandra
I want to go as far as to say that the stove and all the applepies and other food sometimes need to wait even for a day, so we can eat from the Tree of Life, the Bread from Heaven and quench our thirst at the Foutain of life! We live from the Spirit and we cannot function when we are starving.
Blessings XX
Mia
Yes, Mia. There are days when we have to choose our food and drink carefully.
Prior to this passage, Madeleine was describing the “kaleidescope of family and friends coming and going” and how photos of a spring wedding held in their meadow showed her standing near the stove “stirring something.” When things are stirring, it’s often a good time to be still. 🙂
Oh, and this… helps make the pie-apple tree reference make more sense.
“The apple trees in the orchard at Crosswicks are growing old. Last winter the beautiful green pie-apple tree died during the ice storms. This summer I notice that the leafing of some of the others is thin. A neighboring farmer friend tells me that these trees have been “winter killed.”
Pondering what it means to be winter-killed… prior to spring…
Sandra, part of your comment is with Mia’s, but this fits me right now. Dealing with Mama’s death and her recent burial at Arlington National Cemetery, losing a number of trees this past summer due to drought in South Texas, makes death real to me in a variety of ways too. Change! God is always near, no matter what.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Mia, your words are so beautiful that I stopped right here to comment on your comment before I tell Sandra that this “being” time is so very vital and I know that I am needing to relearn “being” right now. Not that I have been “being” and sitting quietly before my King, but I have been “doing” for sooooo long without enough of the quiet that I am gradually having to learn again that I MUST take that precious time with God and just be with Him.
Thank you for these much needed words to pass before my sight.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Love that Madeleine! Have a beautiful Saturday being beautiful you. xox
I do, too. And I’m just getting to know her better.
I always LOVE a good Madeline L’engle quote. Blessings in your weekend, Sandy!! XO
You, too, my friend!
Loved the quote you shared. Reminded me of why I seek a silent retreat. I usually go to a 4 day one in March but am hungering for silence now so have scheduled a one day one just for me in mid October. Just read in the comments about winter kill too. Such an interesting insight to ponder. God is certainly all around us waiting for us to listen and learn!
Volumes are spoken in the silence – isn’t there!?! So many people keep their tvs on and sound up because they don’t want the silence – if only they could hear the cheerleading, the encouragement, the message in those silences:) Such true thoughts you share Sandra!
Today I shall ponder the green pie-apple tree as I prepare a feast here.
Thank you, Sandra.
It’s so easy to lose sight of this, Sandra. So many demands and pressures, but we have to know ourselves and take time for spiritual recharging and ‘being.’ Love this reminder & photo! Thank you.
Love Madeleine L’Engle. Come back again and again to this book and her A Circle of Quiet. Powerful messages. And, love that she wrote while cooking and caring for children and being a wife and running a home and business…all while learning, deeply, what it means “to be.” She is my writing mentor.
I always get a little bit envious of L’Engle’s brook spot when I read her memoirs.
Wise thoughts! We don’t take time often enough to just BE. “Be still and know…” and be still and listen. Thanks, Sandy.
Beautiful Sandra! … Still listening… These moments of silence are oasis for me as well ! Thank you for another inspiration to a devotional!
Nina
Praise God for the stillness so that we may hear Him. Thanks for hosting & God bless!