I struggle with this as well. I want to tap into my "inner" child, and by that I mean that I want the ability to experience things and feel things like I did when I didn't know any better...innocence. I read your book "Reclaiming Quiet," and LOVED it. So much that after buying the Kindle version, I knew I needed the "real" book for my bookshelf and bought it too. ❤️
Oh Sarah, I love this. As I anticipate shopping in Oxford charity shops, I could imagine your littles gathered on the floor in their little world. And such a reminder that we do live in God’s world that holds dearness, innocence, and quiet if only we will seek it and allow God to draw us in. Blessings to you in this most special season🤍🕊️🌿
My granddaughter loves them too and always sits down and plays with the toys. I browse the books. Such fun, and very cheap. It makes us stop and enjoy the moment as well.
The struggle to feel again what was once so easy it wasn't even a conscious effort but just was who we were...I have felt this struggle over and over the last 6 years or so. Bitterness or maybe just an acceptance of this is the way it is has scabbed over my heart and made His love so hard to realize. You so freely put into words the very things I know to be true deep in my heart. Thank you, Sarah. God bless and Merry Christmas.
Beautiful, transparent and giving us all the opportunity to realise that we also share the ups, downs, fear, anxiety and tiredness at this time of the year. I have been pondering on the Christmas times of my childhood now that Mum and Dad died a few months ago, Dad only a month. I remember the innocence and the joy and thank God and them for providing that for me. So many blessings! Today I’m doing Grandma fun instead of the To Do list. Taking a leaf out of your book Sarah. May you continue to be safe, healthy and feel that joy over Christmas. Praying for you and yours, each and every one.
Dearest Sarah - this so perfectly describes the way I have been feeling. I, too, long for those days of imagination and innocence. Fear of the future as we age, struggles with major health problems, and the growing darkness of our world all combine to make me feel innocence is lost to me. However, the Lord has been impressing the word trust into my heart. I remember the days when, as a little girl, my imagination was limitless and my trust in the people who were closest to me was unquestioned. I loved when my dad said we were all going for a "country ride." I didn't know where we were going, the roads we would travel or how long it would take - but I trusted my him implicitly. I think the Lord is calling me to "hop in the car" and go along for the ride He longs to take me on. Only in trust can I find the fully surrendered life I long to live.
You are in my prayers. I pray you will find a quiet peace that brings back that beautiful sense of innocence. Have a joyous Christmas. Thank you so much for sharing your heart.
Linda. I love this so much! I also long for the return of trust. Not trust that God will answer my prayers exactly as I ask (which can lead to disillusionment) but that He is good, and no matter what happens, He is accompanying me. I keep remembering that verse, "Draw near to me and I'll draw near to you." For about two months I have been reading fun devotionals and writing in a gratitude journal with my morning coffee and suddenly, last week, I realized I am hearing from Him again...after a VERY long time of feeling dry. I relate to what you said..."fear of the future as we age...major health problems...the growing darkness of our world. We need HIm more than ever.
I quite relate to your alert state upon entering a store. I have four as well, 7, 5, and twins: 2 1/2. It is sweet how often our children bring smiles and that wistful look on older ones. A reminder to cherish these days of them young. I have wondered how to enter that imaginative world and be so utterly lost in it. It looks different, I suppose as adults. I hope this season refreshes you giving joy to face those fears and uncertainties.
I agree. Sometimes I worry that my four children will be disruptive in certain places only to find that their presence has blessed someone in an unforeseen way.
It’s almost 6am here, I’ve been awake since 4:30am, jolted from sleep by hormones, dreams and cortisol, quite the early morning cocktail. Reading your words, drinking them in, has been the perfect invitation into a quietness my soul needs as I look to the horizon of my busy day. There is a still soothing voice anchored at the centre of the storm and I reach for it. Thank you Sarah, and I’m so sorry you got pushed over! X
I love your wise thoughts, Sarah! Even yesterday, weighed down by weariness, I went on a walk and was caught in wonder by a deep sunset across wintry trees. Inspired by your lovely book Reclaiming Quiet, I paused and soaked in the beauty. I felt the innocence of it, even in the weariness of my mind.
I read this when you first posted and the words were such a precious gift that when I sat with 2 dear friends at my small decorated table and there was a space to speak some goodness I was prompted to ask them if I could read a writing aloud. I remember when I spoke them, the breath felt precious. Brought sweet tears of joy to our hearts and yeses True in our hearts💕
I struggle with this as well. I want to tap into my "inner" child, and by that I mean that I want the ability to experience things and feel things like I did when I didn't know any better...innocence. I read your book "Reclaiming Quiet," and LOVED it. So much that after buying the Kindle version, I knew I needed the "real" book for my bookshelf and bought it too. ❤️
Oh Sarah, I love this. As I anticipate shopping in Oxford charity shops, I could imagine your littles gathered on the floor in their little world. And such a reminder that we do live in God’s world that holds dearness, innocence, and quiet if only we will seek it and allow God to draw us in. Blessings to you in this most special season🤍🕊️🌿
My granddaughter loves them too and always sits down and plays with the toys. I browse the books. Such fun, and very cheap. It makes us stop and enjoy the moment as well.
Wonderful just wonderful!
The struggle to feel again what was once so easy it wasn't even a conscious effort but just was who we were...I have felt this struggle over and over the last 6 years or so. Bitterness or maybe just an acceptance of this is the way it is has scabbed over my heart and made His love so hard to realize. You so freely put into words the very things I know to be true deep in my heart. Thank you, Sarah. God bless and Merry Christmas.
Beautiful, transparent and giving us all the opportunity to realise that we also share the ups, downs, fear, anxiety and tiredness at this time of the year. I have been pondering on the Christmas times of my childhood now that Mum and Dad died a few months ago, Dad only a month. I remember the innocence and the joy and thank God and them for providing that for me. So many blessings! Today I’m doing Grandma fun instead of the To Do list. Taking a leaf out of your book Sarah. May you continue to be safe, healthy and feel that joy over Christmas. Praying for you and yours, each and every one.
Dearest Sarah - this so perfectly describes the way I have been feeling. I, too, long for those days of imagination and innocence. Fear of the future as we age, struggles with major health problems, and the growing darkness of our world all combine to make me feel innocence is lost to me. However, the Lord has been impressing the word trust into my heart. I remember the days when, as a little girl, my imagination was limitless and my trust in the people who were closest to me was unquestioned. I loved when my dad said we were all going for a "country ride." I didn't know where we were going, the roads we would travel or how long it would take - but I trusted my him implicitly. I think the Lord is calling me to "hop in the car" and go along for the ride He longs to take me on. Only in trust can I find the fully surrendered life I long to live.
You are in my prayers. I pray you will find a quiet peace that brings back that beautiful sense of innocence. Have a joyous Christmas. Thank you so much for sharing your heart.
Linda. I love this so much! I also long for the return of trust. Not trust that God will answer my prayers exactly as I ask (which can lead to disillusionment) but that He is good, and no matter what happens, He is accompanying me. I keep remembering that verse, "Draw near to me and I'll draw near to you." For about two months I have been reading fun devotionals and writing in a gratitude journal with my morning coffee and suddenly, last week, I realized I am hearing from Him again...after a VERY long time of feeling dry. I relate to what you said..."fear of the future as we age...major health problems...the growing darkness of our world. We need HIm more than ever.
Thank you so much. I love what you’ve written. It’s so sweet to draw close to Him. I pray you have a joyous Christmas.
I quite relate to your alert state upon entering a store. I have four as well, 7, 5, and twins: 2 1/2. It is sweet how often our children bring smiles and that wistful look on older ones. A reminder to cherish these days of them young. I have wondered how to enter that imaginative world and be so utterly lost in it. It looks different, I suppose as adults. I hope this season refreshes you giving joy to face those fears and uncertainties.
I agree. Sometimes I worry that my four children will be disruptive in certain places only to find that their presence has blessed someone in an unforeseen way.
It’s almost 6am here, I’ve been awake since 4:30am, jolted from sleep by hormones, dreams and cortisol, quite the early morning cocktail. Reading your words, drinking them in, has been the perfect invitation into a quietness my soul needs as I look to the horizon of my busy day. There is a still soothing voice anchored at the centre of the storm and I reach for it. Thank you Sarah, and I’m so sorry you got pushed over! X
I love your wise thoughts, Sarah! Even yesterday, weighed down by weariness, I went on a walk and was caught in wonder by a deep sunset across wintry trees. Inspired by your lovely book Reclaiming Quiet, I paused and soaked in the beauty. I felt the innocence of it, even in the weariness of my mind.
I read this when you first posted and the words were such a precious gift that when I sat with 2 dear friends at my small decorated table and there was a space to speak some goodness I was prompted to ask them if I could read a writing aloud. I remember when I spoke them, the breath felt precious. Brought sweet tears of joy to our hearts and yeses True in our hearts💕