I live in that solitude which is painful in youth, but delicious in the years of maturity. – Albert Einstein
This year I hit a milestone, the BIG 4-0. I don’t really feel 40. Some people don’t even think I look 40. But one of the things that I have been longing for, seeking for lately is a feeling of rest and solitude. Maybe it IS my age. There are times I don’t feel like being around anyone. I’d rather just sit and rest and not do much of anything, especially not being around crowds. Sometimes I feel like I’m an old grumpy man!
Or maybe it isn’t necessarily my age. Maybe it’s just a result of my crazy lifestyle. During the week I’m an assistant principal in the public school system, I pastor a home-church, run the Prepper Website, do 2-3 weddings a month (conservative number), garden and more importantly I’m a husband and father of three. Maybe it’s my crazy lifestyle.
The desire for rest and solitude really hit home a few months back, when I accompanied the 3rd and 5th graders on their Science field trip. The district has a facility where the students get to experience hands-on Science in a district owned, heavily wooded plot of land. The 3rd graders stay on the outskirts of the woods, but the 5th graders get to go deep into the woods and walk trails, experience the pond ecosystem and the bird refuge. It was when I was walking between groups that I realized the quietness of the woods and how much I really enjoyed it and missed it. I felt at ease, calm and wished I had a chair so that I could just sit for a while.
I might get to realize this dream real soon. Dad just bought a piece of land in East Texas. This would be the second piece of land that the family has owned in East Texas. Our first one was used often. I have great childhood memories of going there on the weekends and extended periods in the summer.
This second property is totally off-grid. So it is going to be a little different than before. But after it gets some work, the only sounds that I will be able to hear will be the birds in the trees, the rustling of the trees and the running of the creek, if it has been raining decently. There will be times that we will have to run the generator, but that will only run for a while. I can’t wait to sit by the fire, look up at the sky and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Desiring rest and solitude isn’t a bad thing. In fact, God put it in place at the beginning of time. In Genesis, we read that on the 7th day of Creation, God rested. God doesn’t need to rest, He’s God. He did it as a model and example for us. Six days work to your heart’s content, on the seventh, rest!
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. Genesis 2:2-3 (NIV)
So whether you are doing it because you are an old fart, live a crazy life or doing it for religious reasons, rest is a good thing.
There are a few ideas I have about rest and solitude that I hope might be valuable to others who are in a similar situation, or who might consider taking advantage of a day of rest.
- Schedule your time – The fact is if you don’t schedule your time, something will schedule it for you. There is always something that “needs” to be done. There is always someone who “needs” “just a minute.” Some people work themselves to the bone and as a result stay tired and run-down…mentally and physically. So schedule your time! If you do this, then you won’t have to lie when someone or something comes needing your attention. You can say, “I’m sorry, I have an important meeting.”
- Examine your family’s patterns – You might not be able to take a whole day of rest. You might have to find a few hours. I like it when there is peace and quiet in the house, even if it’s for a short while. I wake up at 5:15 a.m. to pray and have some alone time. At 5:15 a.m., the dogs aren’t even up! I couldn’t do this in the evening, the TV is on, the kids are playing games, on their phones, doing their homework, coming in and out, need a ride to this…that…this again…you might know exactly what I’m talking about. If you don’t have kids, you would want to find a time when your spouse isn’t stirring in the house…unless you two choose to pray together.
- Find a retreat – In my city, there is a Catholic retreat that is open to all faiths. For less than $20 a day you can get a room with a bed (to take a restful nap), pray in their chapel, walk and meditate in the gardens, walk the prayer circle and even talk with a counselor. It is a beautiful place that allows you time to be in quiet and be alone. If you don’t have a retreat available, you could visit a park or even a restaurant/coffee shop at a slow time of the day. Although there might be noise there, it is easier to disregard that as background noise – I did most of my graduate work in a local coffee shop.
- Find an empty church – If you need some quiet time and can’t find it anywhere, your local church, during the weekday, might be the spot for you. Some churches leave their doors open during weekday hours. Asking the church secretary for permission to go in and “sit and be still” would most likely be welcome.
There are so many benefits from taking time to rest in peace and quiet. How much of our health related issues are due to our fast paced lifestyle and go-go attitude? We weren’t made to go non-stop! So find some time to relax, get still, enjoy peace and quiet and solitude and notice how you feel, how you are thinking and your mood on the other side of that time.
Today’s article was written by:
Todd Sepulveda is the owner/editor of www.prepperwebsite.com. He is also an assistant principal in the public school system and a bi-vocational pastor.
