Fast is not my forte.
Whether it’s a run at the lake, making a financial decision or writing a post for my blog, I enjoy taking the slow and steady approach.
Recently, I revisited some of the reasons doing life in the fast lane is a struggle for me.
I was reminded of my struggle , as my oldest son and I visited one of the most amazing, fast paced cities in the world.
As we boarded a plane bound for New York City, leaving our humble abode in the great state of Oklahoma where wheat fields and pastures abound, I had a feeling the next week would be a whirlwind.
My feelings were accurate.
Over the course of the next six days, we visited Times Square and Lady Liberty. We rode the subway and toured Radio City Music Hall. Broadway and 42nd Street were our home away from home each night as we were privileged to see up to six Broadway theatre productions. Not to mention the vast array of walking that would take us into every nook and cranny of this great city.
I was left scratching my head.
Regardless of the wonderful experience we were having, I found myself falling into bed each night after midnight, feeling a little lost. Not so much lost in a physical sense, but in a ‘not quite grounded, there is something missing’ kind of way. The kind of lost that nags just a smidge, enough to keep me scratching my head and wondering.
And then I realized.
Sadly, by the last few days of our trip, I had a self-imposed day of rest in the quiet of our hotel room. Looking back, I can see where my slow paced body needed a break from the fast pace we were keeping. As I spent the entire day alone in the quiet of my room on the fifth floor of our hotel in Times Square, the lost feeling faded and I realized what I had been missing for the last week or so.
Alone in that room, there was no subway noise; no maps to navigate.
No shoulder to shoulder people waiting in line to see the same sight.
That day in the quiet, there was no worry about walking at an almost runner’s pace in order to stay with the group.
No horns blaring or taxi hailing folks standing on the crowded street corner.
I was missing it all and taking in so much at the very same time.
And I could hear Him.
In the quiet of that room as the last days of our trip neared, I realized how almost impossible it is for me to hear God’s whispers if I am in constant motion.
The fact that He is always nearby and will never leave me stands true, but for me, it is so difficult to sense His presence, see Him moving, or get a grip on His hand if I spend my time running all day and collapsing into bed each night without quieting my heart and my mind on a regular basis.
It is difficult for me to hear His voice if my busy life is shouting over it.
Alas, I came home from the hustle and bustle with a handful of wonderful experiences under my belt, and a fresh reminder of the necessity of s l o w.
And this is a reminder I needed, indeed.
Are you like me and need to slow down just a smidge in order to hear His voice?
Can you see the necessity of s l o w in your everyday life?
By Nikkie, Another Turn Of The Page
Leave a Comment
Anna B says
Thanks so much for this post!! I feel so guilty about being a young person who isn’t able – emotionally, spiritually able – to do ‘running around’ several nights a week. I need my quiet time and my alone time with God. I have had to limit myself to just 2 or 3 activities out in a week, and that’s tough to do (and even harder to explain) – but your post made me realize that it’s OK.
It’s OK to be more quiet, to need to drink things in, to need time to meditate and contemplate. Thank you so much for helping me see this!!
nikkie says
‘meditate and contemplate.’
that’s it, isn’t it?
thank YOU!
Please do not stop here. « Another Turn Of The Page says
[…] It is an exception for the fun fact that today, I am writing over at (in)courage. […]
Grace {Hope} says
Thank you i was torn today whether to do more tiring fundraising for going back to missions or not… i am worn out with 2 jobs a mission in january, no money and im still in my 20’s! After a non-responce drive to raise funds yesterday i am zapped…. I felt i needed to S l o w! But i felt guilty… so i asked God to show me something on incourage to help me….. and there was this post!
Thank you so much I am still in my pjs by the fire, under a blanket quietly sewing christmas decorations and am looking forward to movies and book reading all afternoon!
You really helped me and totally linked in with my heart (the place where my God is !) to just be… ‘me’ for today. As opposed to the ‘running-round-trying-reeeally-hard-me’ which i have been lately!
You are awesome, Happy Sunday to you! may God bless your spirit with exactly what you need today,
Love Grace
beautyforashes.moonfruit.com
nikkie says
Happy Sunday to you too, Grace : )
I Live in an Antbed says
This is such a critical principle. There are so many “good” things that can cause us to miss the “best” thing. Thank you for the reminder! Especially at this time of year.
nikkie says
the ‘good’ vs. the ‘best’ is a difficult one for me for sure.
and this time of the year makes it so much more difficult!
Caroline says
What a great reminder, and beautifully put, too.
I think of these two verses:
Psalm 46:10a – “He says, “Be still, and know that I am God…”
and Psalm 23:2-3 – “He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.”
nikkie says
i agree, caroline.
those verses are perfect.
thank you.
Ann Kroeker says
Nikkie, I love hearing about your need for slow…it’s been my heart’s craving in this fast-paced world (I’ve even written a book about it!). Like Caroline, I think of those two verses. Also, this:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)
Thanks for bringing up this important topic during a hectic season!
And this:
Ann Kroeker says
I had that stray phrase, didn’t I? “And this:”
Well, I guess I had another verse in mind! How about this:
And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while.” Mark 6:31
nikkie says
thanks so much ann!
Holley Gerth says
Oh, Nikkie, I could so relate to this post! We just got home from visiting family and it was so good. It also wore me out! Your post helped me not feel guilty for needing a little quiet and rest to be renewed. Thank you!
nikkie says
thanks, Holley for having me.
what a treat.
Kristen@Moms Sharpening Moms says
This fellow born-and-bred Okie gives a hearty, “Here! Here!” to this wonderful post!
I am a girl who requires some serious slow to function. Thank you for putting to words the “why” of my needs here! Loved this.
nikkie says
i have seriously tried the non-slow approach and it just doesn’t work so well for me…
so glad i am not alone!
Living the Balanced Life says
Nikkie,
Slow is best for me too! I think that some of it may have to do with being an extorvert or introvert. I always thought I was an extrovert as I can talk to anybody. This past year though, found me at a place of exhaustion and meltdown. As I have been going through counseling, my counselor explained to me that being an extorvert vs introvert has more to do with which one energizes you. Does being with people renew your energy or drain you? he encouraged me to see myself instead as in introvert that needs time alone with myself, my thoughts and God to renew and refresh.
Now that I know this, I am careful to put limits in place so as not to end up in the same place again!
Thanks for a great post!
Bernice
http://livingthebalancedlife.com/2010/afraid-to-let-people-in/
Rachel says
I love the line where you said “How can I hear Him when my busy life is shouting over Him?” How very true and what a great way to say it!