eastern bluebird – male
“Silent solitude makes true speech possible and personal. If I am not in touch with my own belovedness, then I cannot touch the sacredness of others. Experience has taught me that I connect best with others when I connect with the core of myself. When I allow God to liberate me from unhealthy dependence on people, I listen more attentively, love more unselfishly, and am more compassionate and playful. I take myself less seriously, become aware that the breath of the Father is on my face and that my countenance is bright with laughter in the midst of an adventure I thoroughly enjoy.”
~Brennan Manning, Abba’s Child, p. 58
eastern bluebird – female
“Conscientiously “wasting” time with God enables me to speak and act from greater strength, to forgive rather than nurse the latest bruise to my wounded ego, to be capable of magnanimity during the petty moments of life It empowers me to lose myself, at least temporarily, against a greater background than the tableau of my fears and insecurities, to merely be still and know that God is God.”
~Brennan Manning, Abba’s Child, p. 58
In the stillness,
Sandy
Excavated from the archives because I’m missing my bluebirds. And forgive me for the late posting. My laptop has breathed its last, and I’m learning to work with my iPad for a few days.
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.
June says
January 24, 2015 at 11:02 amI hope your computer trouble are soon solved, Sandy, they can be so frustrating. Lovely quotes from Manning and I love your bluebirds!
Sandra Heska King says
January 24, 2015 at 1:08 pmI haven’t seen my bluebirds since the sparrows killed their babies. 🙁
And I will go buy a new laptop next week.
Have a great weekend, June. We are off to meet the rest of the family at an indoor waterpark. It’ll be the first time all of us have been together since before my mom died. So after a still hour and a half in the car, the noise will begin. 🙂
Alli says
January 24, 2015 at 11:20 amI love those quotes! “…become aware of the breath of my father on my face.” That is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
Sandra Heska King says
January 24, 2015 at 1:10 pmThat line made me catch my breath.
Elizabeth says
January 24, 2015 at 11:22 amI want to savor the words in these quotes. So, so good. Love Brennan Manning,
Sandra Heska King says
January 25, 2015 at 12:37 amMe, too. 🙂
Pam@Writing...Apples of Gold says
January 24, 2015 at 11:29 amSo glad you excavated this one, Sandy. So lovely in words and photo! The only blue birds I’ve seen are jays… I love these! A compassionate spirit is an echo to something I’ve posted today too… so this touches me even more. Blessings!
Sandra Heska King says
January 25, 2015 at 12:39 amLove when God echoes. I loved these bluebirds. I hope I can entice them back this spring.
Mitzi says
January 24, 2015 at 11:54 amSuch beautiful quotes and images! Very thought provoking and inspiring!
Sandra Heska King says
January 24, 2015 at 1:14 pmMakes me wish for a breath of spring.
Hope you make some space to breathe this weekend, Mitzi.
Sheila Seiler Lagrand says
January 24, 2015 at 2:52 pmSo much here, Sandy. Thank you. I feel comforted, reading, and regarding, and reflecting. God bless you.
Sandra Heska King says
January 25, 2015 at 12:38 amAlways good to sit a spell with you, Sheila. Is it Frio time yet?
Laurie Collett says
January 24, 2015 at 10:32 pmBeautiful quote, post, & photos! Thanks for hosting & God bless!
Joanne Viola says
January 25, 2015 at 6:41 amBeautiful in photos, quotes & thoughts. I love the Brennan Manning quote. This here undid me this morning >> “to merely be still and know that God is God.” We can say this so casually but this truly provoked me this morning – “Do I know & believe that God is God, in this moment, in this situation, in every situation?” Lifting my eyes upward this morning so I can know & believe God IS God. Grateful to have read this today.
Donna McMorrow says
January 25, 2015 at 5:25 pmSavoring your quotes. Loving the pictures of the bluebirds. Thanks.
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup says
January 25, 2015 at 11:17 pmSo sorry to hear about your computer issues. That’s very frustrating.
Love the bluebirds! Thanks for sharing and for hosting.
Blessings to you and yours.
Mary Dolan Flaherty says
January 26, 2015 at 1:18 pmBeautiful quotes, but even more beautiful photos! Thanks for hosting!