I have often said that the sole cause of man's unhappiness is that he does not know how to stay quietly in his room... What people want is not the easy peaceful life that allows us to think of our unhappy condition, nor the dangers of war, nor the burdens of office, but the agitation that takes our mind off it and diverts us.  That is why we prefer the hunt to the capture.  That is why men are so fond of hustle and bustle; that is why prison is such a fearful punishment; that is why the pleasures of solitude are so incomprehensible.  (Pascal, Pensees)

I have a child who finds great comfort in his quiet alone time.  While he enjoys and desperately needs friends and family to engage with, he always returns happily to his room to find his center again. The Beach Boys' "In my room" should definitely be on the soundtrack of his life.  

He's quiet lovely, this solitary lamb of mine.  Like a still life.  Peaceful really.

At the other end of the spectrum I have a son who epitomizes Pascal's quote: "I have often said that the sole cause of man's unhappiness is that he does not know how to stay quietly in his room." This child wakes up and comes out of his room throwing life energy on everything and everyone he can find.  "Dude, Dude you want to play Legos?... Let's go outside and ride scooters... Mom, can I have some chocolate milk?... Dad, you said you'd play a game with me this morning..." And on and on the hustle and bustle bustles and hustles all around our home and world until he falls asleep again.  

One day recently my solitary seven year old said to his frenetic brother "You are not peaceful.  You don't like peace, do you?  You find peace boring."  His brother shrugged and went on to another activity unfazed by his younger brother's assessment.  But the words and the insight have stuck in my head these past days.

"You find peace boring."

How many different directions I could take this blog, especially in light of the Christmas Season when we Spiritually long to be still and focus on the knowledge and the knowing of our Savior.  But we forsake the stillness and bake cookies to bring to neighbors, then step hurriedly over family members to get presents wrapped, and run back past again to make it to the post office before closing. Oh, so busy.

But it's a far greater reaching epidemic in our lives than just the Christmas Season.  I think it's the way we live, on the go, as families in this present culture.  Sports for the kids and a quick trip to the gym, and play dates and the grocery store 3 times a week.  We avoid peace.  Don't get me wrong, my to-do list is real.  As really real as yours.  But what if we cut back some of that going and doing?  What if we strive instead to be still people who are comfortable at home. WHAT IF... get this.... What if we use some of that energy we spend helping our children go and make friends and have unlimited opportunities instead to go deeper in our own family relationships and have opportunities to cultivate contentment and a peaceful life here at home?

I don't know.  I'd like to give you a "how to" post about such things.  I'm just asking the question. Here's what I think God would say on the subject.

The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah  (Psalm 46:11)

Selah.  We see it at the end of various challenging verses in the Psalms, but what does it mean and what are we to do in response?  My favorite interpretation of the poetic word Selah is, "Stop and consider!"  God's Word commands that we stop and consider as we read His Word; not hustle off into the fray again.  But it's not just for our time reading the Bible, He calls for us to stop and consider, to meditate and Be Still during our days as well.  

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (Psalm 46:10)

I'm not sure what to do with this except to tell God that I want more of His presence and less of my hurrying attempts to fill my own life and agenda.  More stillness in our home so that the boys can cultivate hearts that enjoy the quiet and solitary spaces where God's still small voice can be heard.

I recognize that each person (both big and small) has different personalities and unique needs for activities and stimuli, but we all need to learn to be still and know God and one another.  It's so hard to know anyone when we are always rushing off to the next big thing... even if the one we love is coming along for the ride.  There is an element of stillness and quiet needed for relationships to go deep down into rich soil.  It's true here in our home.  Even today my husband asked me to not plan anything for us to go and do... "I just want to be here with you guys" he said.  "No more trips to see Christmas lights or cookie decorating get togethers.  I want to be here at home, with you."

And so mint brownies are in the oven and the table is set for a special family dinner tonight.  The boys are playing outside and Matt is working on some projects around the house.  And tonight we'll light some candles and let the tree lights twinkle their show.  And all will be still and all will be bright. 

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!