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Still Saturday: The Problem with Busyness

July 11, 2014 By Sandra Heska King

busyness

 

“To remember is, literally, to put broken pieces back together, to re-member. It is to create an original wholeness out of what has become scattered fragments . . .

“There is a terrible cost to our busyness. It erodes memory. Or worse than that: it turns good memory into mere nostalgia–memory falsified and petrified–and turns bad memory into bloodhounds that chase us to rend us, that keep us ever running, dodging, backtracking. Busyness destroys the time we need to remember well.

“In the confusion, we forget who we are. The broken pieces remain strewn.

“The Swahili word for ‘white man’–mazungu–literally means ‘one who spins around.’ That’s how East Africans see Westerners: turning ourselves dizzy, a great whirl of motion without direction. We’re flurries going nowhere.”

~Mark Buchanan in The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath

 

busyness2

In the stillness,

Sandy

Sandra Heska King - Still Saturday

Welcome to the Still Saturday Community 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 reflect on the depth of sparse words. We’d love for you to join us. Grab the 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 be still together, to gaze long and drink deep.

An InLinkz Link-up


Linking with Diane today.

Diane W. Bailey

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Comments

  1. ~ linda says

    July 11, 2014 at 7:37 pm

    Sandra, Mark’s words are so real and feel so clear to me as that is how we are, how I am…luckily some days, not ALL. I am grateful for those “rest”-filled days and evenings. “Mazungu”…what a word-picture in one little word!
    May your weekend be still and sweet, ~ linda

    • Sandra Heska King says

      July 12, 2014 at 9:42 am

      Some days–not all, thank goodness. Me, too.

      Hope you find some time to put your feet up this weekend, Linda.

  2. Sarah Ann says

    July 11, 2014 at 10:22 pm

    Thanks for the gentle reminder to be still before the Lord and in life in general. It is rushed and hurried, and I often forget why I am striving so hard. 🙂 Many blessings!

    • Sandra Heska King says

      July 12, 2014 at 9:43 am

      I hear you, girlfriend. Here’s to slowing down inside and out.

  3. Dolly@Soulstops says

    July 12, 2014 at 2:20 am

    This: “Busyness destroys the time we need to remember well.” Thanks for affirming the good we do when we slow down instead of continuing to spin…((hugs))

    • Sandra Heska King says

      July 12, 2014 at 9:47 am

      If we could only get over feeling that the only good day is one when we’ve checked off a dozen things on our to-do list–and remember we often “do” more by doing nothing. Hugs right back to you, sweet friend.

  4. Michelle DeRusha says

    July 12, 2014 at 7:49 am

    Wow, that that Swahili word for white man — “one who spins around” — that really hit home. Peace, Sandy. Love you.

    • Sandra Heska King says

      July 12, 2014 at 9:48 am

      I know, right? Round and round we go… Love you!

  5. bluecottonmemory says

    July 12, 2014 at 9:48 am

    The older I get the more I relish stillness. I have learned to vintage the past – to pick it up, turn it around and find the value you in it. It makes life more whole! Sweet meat for the morning , Sandra!

    • Sandra Heska King says

      July 12, 2014 at 9:51 am

      Finding value in the vintage… love it! I’m wondering if part of the reason I’ve forgotten so much is that I’ve forfeited too much stillness to the spinning.

  6. Sherrey Meyer says

    July 12, 2014 at 12:17 pm

    Oh, wow! The Swahili for white man, “one who spins around,” really caught my attention at how I’ve been living my life, most days that is, and particularly lately. Time to stop spinning and be still, and therein become the faithful daughter He wants me to be. Thanks, Sandra!

    • Sandra Heska King says

      July 13, 2014 at 10:30 pm

      None of us will forget that spinning around thing. Sometimes it’s just dizzying. I hope you’ve had a wonderful weekend, Sherrey.

  7. Pat Baer says

    July 12, 2014 at 12:21 pm

    My words aren’t so “sparse” this week, or meticulously strewn together like Mark Buchanan’s – but I’ve been fixated on the task of remembering also. I agree with the Swahili interpretation of our Western culture – of my own culture. I’m craving more meaningful moments. Moments of stillness, but also moments that last – eternal moments.

    Thank you for the invitation to join your community. And thank you for pointing me to my next Amazon order :)) Bless you, Sandy.

    • Sandra Heska King says

      July 13, 2014 at 10:31 pm

      I am SO glad you’re here, Pat! And I know you’ll be glad you bought this book. Bless you back. 🙂

  8. Sharon says

    July 12, 2014 at 1:46 pm

    This was such a blessing to read this morning. I especially liked the idea of *re-membering* – yes, busyness can pull us apart in many directions. May the Lord center me on what really counts. And may He heal my brokenness.

    GOD BLESS!

    • Sandra Heska King says

      July 13, 2014 at 10:34 pm

      As I’ve spent time remembering, I’ve discovered it really does lead to remembering. That still time is such a gift… and more than that, a necessity, like brushing our teeth. 🙂

      Praying and knowing God will piece the broken pieces into something even more beautiful. Love to you, Sharon.

  9. Joanne Norton says

    July 12, 2014 at 2:06 pm

    Susie emailed me to read it. I’d glanced last night, but not finished.. too much on my plate other than popping my photos on… AND when she mentioned “mazungu” I couldn’t NOT read right now. AND in Uganda the “mazungu” word was spread so often around and about and used by people in the side-areas to scare their children with this word if I was walking by their yard. It was to tease the kid and embarrass me. Anyhow, I have toooo many Uganda stories about that word. AND even though they indicate the officiality of it’s meaning, that’s NOT what the majority of the people thought of when spreading it around to and at us. NOW, I’ll shut up and go away, b/c I could write WAY too long and too much. But this really grabbed me. I’m grinning!!! Bless you, Sandy.

    • Sandra Heska King says

      July 13, 2014 at 10:35 pm

      Oh mercy, Joanne! I’ll bet you *do* have stories! 🙂

  10. Patricia @ Pollywog Creek says

    July 12, 2014 at 9:18 pm

    “The one who spins.” Wow! I seem to go in spurts these days – super busy and then not busy at all. I wish I had more control over that, but I don’t. I try to be careful about scheduling activities, but then things just happen. Like today…and it’s nearly tomorrow before I could post my Still Saturday. At least it is still Saturday. =) Love to you, my beautiful friend.

    • Sandra Heska King says

      July 13, 2014 at 10:37 pm

      You know, Patricia, sometimes I spend several days spinning, and then several days stilling. Some days are just like that. But to get to a point of stillness and serenity in the everyday of every day… that’s where I long to live. Love to you right back. xo

  11. Jason Stasyszen says

    July 12, 2014 at 10:07 pm

    Powerful words and images here. Just what I needed. Thanks Sandra. 🙂

    • Sandra Heska King says

      July 13, 2014 at 10:38 pm

      Mark knows how to weave those words, doesn’t he? I love when you stop by, Jason.

  12. Laurie Collett says

    July 12, 2014 at 11:11 pm

    May we leave the whirlwind & rest in His peace! Thanks for hosting & God bless.

    • Sandra Heska King says

      July 13, 2014 at 10:38 pm

      Amen to that! Thanks, Laurie. Hugs.

  13. Diane W. Bailey says

    July 12, 2014 at 11:49 pm

    Thank you for linking up! And Yes,”and turns bad memory into bloodhounds that chase us to rend us, that keep us ever running, dodging, backtracking.” Sometimes I have to say out loud to me memory, “Be Quite!”

    I love your poetry!

    • Sandra Heska King says

      July 13, 2014 at 10:39 pm

      No bark! Down. Stay. 🙂

      Thanks, sis.

  14. Sheila Seiler Lagrand says

    July 13, 2014 at 12:43 am

    I need this. Thank you. Bless you.

    • Sandra Heska King says

      July 13, 2014 at 10:40 pm

      I need it, too. xo

  15. Joanne Viola says

    July 13, 2014 at 6:48 am

    That definition of “white man” strikes hard. Oh may that not be me. May I take time, each & every day, to be still. Still before Him. Still so He can speak & guide & bring calm. I want to remember all He shows me each day. Grateful to Him for having stopped here this morning. Have a blessed Sunday!

    • Sandra Heska King says

      July 13, 2014 at 10:40 pm

      Grateful that you’ve stopped by, Joanne. I hope your weekend has had some still stretches.

  16. Stephanie says

    July 13, 2014 at 7:55 am

    Your words, or Mark’s words, struck home with me today. It’s exactly how I’ve been feeling lately and its driving me crazy! 🙂 And what really hit home was the illustration of the word mazungu. I’ve been to Uganda. As a white person in Uganda, I’ve been called mazungu. I knew it was a bit of a derogatory name, but they pretty much nailed it on the head. ouch.

    • Sandra Heska King says

      July 13, 2014 at 10:41 pm

      Ouch is right! Thanks so much for slipping in, Stephanie.

  17. Nina says

    July 13, 2014 at 3:43 pm

    Such a describing word for the white man .., one who’se spinning around! We have a lot to learn … Such a wonderful and graceful post, Sandra!

    • Sandra Heska King says

      July 13, 2014 at 10:42 pm

      Slow learners R us. Thanks you, Nina. I love just about every word in every one of Mark’s books. 🙂

  18. Lisa Moreland says

    July 13, 2014 at 5:23 pm

    Always nurtured by wise words that address “scattered fragments” and “broken pieces”… blessed by this post.

    • Sandra Heska King says

      July 13, 2014 at 10:44 pm

      Yes. And I’m glad it doesn’t take all the king’s horses and all the king’s men to put it all the pieces back together–that the King Himself can do it. Blessings on your week, Lisa.

Trackbacks

  1. He Never Stops Noticing You says:
    July 12, 2014 at 8:38 am

    […] Linking with Still Saturday […]

  2. Annie the musical + Linkup - God's Girl says:
    July 12, 2014 at 11:46 am

    […] {Shared with Thankful Thurs, Thought-provoking Thurs, Essential Friday, Faith-filled Friday, CMB, Weekend Brew, Renewed Daily, Still Saturday} […]

  3. Remembering Yesterday - Pat Baer | Pat Baer says:
    July 12, 2014 at 12:07 pm

    […] up with Jennifer, Lisha […]

  4. Weekend Reflection: Remembered says:
    July 13, 2014 at 12:40 am

    […] weekend. Remove your shoes and step into the stillness. Stopy by Sandra Heska King’s place for Still Saturday.  Then stop by Lisha Epperson’s Give me Grace. Join us? We saved room just for […]

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