Silence & Solitude Part 1
For many years, my jogging stroller contraption was my ticket to any sense of “silence” and “solitude.”
Those words are in quotation marks because this setting is not the true definition of either. I had to keep my expectations low, so I didn't get frustrated by inevitable interruptions.
Hours were not flying by when I had six children eight years and under, but I had it pretty good.
My babies slept in a separate room within days of being born, and most of them consistently slept through the night within a few months, though my last one pushed the envelope here.
Still, there was always the possibility of an interruption (or more) on any given night—a reality of six young children.
Their little bodies and big grins!
This past spring the moment came to say goodbye to what has become my freedom rider for a decade.
At one point, I had two kids sitting in the double stroller, one standing on the attached skateboard, another bouncing along in my growing belly, and two trailing behind on bikes or holding on to the red rubber owl handle.
I looked tied down to those passing by, but those walks were liberating for my body, mind, and soul!
God trained my inner desires like a horse being broken in as we walked and talked through those afternoon escapes during years of long days and sometimes longer nights.
They say don’t blink...
This is true.
My youngest at 1
My youngest turned five this month, and I am reflecting on what spaces of silence and solitude could look like in this golden hour of parenting five amazing children and one wonderful teenager.
It is no secret technology could fill every moment.
We must parent our devices with time-outs and bedtimes so we can connect with our creator in silence and solitude, the most important thing to make space for on our agenda every season!
While camping in the fall leaves this month, entering spaces of silence and solitude came easier than ever.
We picked a campsite with a playground and a large field just beyond the trees but realized our kids were old enough to go on adventure walks far beyond that safe space. They could spend many hours in nature without a diaper needing to be changed or a nap to be monitored.
I read, went on solo walks, and reflected.
What struck me was the joy I felt when I set out on my mini adventures.
God was there as I walked over the bridge by the pond, along the salty banks of the receding lake, and through leafy trails.
Love encountered me in the most tangible ways, inviting me into wonder and worship.
Moving my body and soaking in the beauty of nature stimulated my senses and initiated an overflow in my spirit.
With no one around I prayed aloud words I didn’t even know, releasing songs rising from a heavenly place within.
I returned home, longing for more silence and solitude in my daily rhythm to make room for more of God's goodness.
I am grateful for a consistent morning quiet time routine for Bible reading, prayer and journaling. However, I long for more times as I experienced on this last camping trip, embodying worship in nature.
I can fill in my margins with a quick scroll that turns into a twenty-minute rabbit trail or one more task when God may have another trail for my soul to run down.
No longer in the demanding early years with little ones, I am contemplating what a new version of “stroller walks” could look like.
One of my seminary assignments is to create a Rule of Life, a trellise to continue growing in the ways of God.
Silence and solitude, foundational to spiritual formation, will be in it!
For another assignment I am at the early stages of gathering, researching and diving into Scripture, combing for insights, quotes and stories to show how the space of hiddenness, reflection and communion makes room for the other areas of faith formation.
I share the longing this time, but I hope to share some practical applications and resources from my research and reflection next time!
To the parents feeling hidden behind baby paraphernalia and broken night, know gifts are waiting for you to discover in this season as you bounce babies while walking and talking with God.
Four falls ago…
Too soon, you will look back with fondness, gratitude and relief for all that continues to change from the inside out.
And to those who find the margins are wider, let’s not squander opportunities to worship our creator on this side of heaven!
I invite you to return for part 2 of Silence & Solitude next month.
