.solitude.

Well, this summer has FLOWN by and now it's back to work. I'm feeling rested and ready for it, which is a great place to be.
I'm now living alone again, so I thought I'd share a few thoughts on solitude from Henri Nouwen.

"When we enter into solitude to be with God alone, we quickly discover how dependent we are. Without the many distractions of our daily lives, we feel anxious and tense. When nobody speaks to us, calls on us, or needs our help, we start feeling like nobodies. Then we begin wondering whether we are useful, valuable, and significant. Our tendency is to leave this fearful solitude quickly and get busy again to reassure ourselves that we are 'somebodies.' But that is a temptation, because what makes us somebodies is not other people's responses to us but God's eternal love for us.
To claim the truth of ourselves we have to cling to our God in solitude as to the One who makes us who we are."

That quote also reminds me of some David Benner I've been reading lately, from his book "Surrender to Love" (which needs to be followed by re-reading "The Gift of Being Yourself"). Taking time to meditate in silence can be difficult...there are always so many distractions (many of which are worthwhile) but it's a good discipline. I deeply desire to know God more experientially, l rather than just theologically or intellectually.