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Good morning everyone. This post is coming from my grandson's home. His other Grandmother watched him over the weekend, I came back last night. I will be with him for three more days. Sean is such a sweet little guy. He will be two next month and is keeping his Mina pretty busy. He is eating his breakfast as I type this.
I got up a little earlier this morning to have some solitude before our day began.
Every so often my husband takes some extended time in prayer and solitude at Ignatius House. He is usually given an outline to follow. Last weeks was a writing from Henri Nouwen. "Moving from Solitude to Community to Ministry." He made a copy for me to use.
My grandson does not like monkeys for some odd reason. He calls them "hoo hoo's" :) He says, "hoo hoos, bye bye!!!! While reading the handout this morning I came across this. "Your inner life is like a banana tree filled with monkeys jumping up and down." (oh I think I see a journal page here) I can so relate to this can you?? I have a hard time sitting quiet, my mind wonders and makes it difficult to hear. I know this about me, so I have begun to sit with my calendar/journal next to me and when something pops into my mind I write it down and move on. I know God knows this about me, but he also knows my heart and my desire to spend time with him. I am learning to not be so hard on myself when this happens. But I am determined to not give up because I do not do it well. I pray in time the "monkeys" in my mind will lesson as I learn to quiet my mind and heart.
Blessings and hugs and few monkeys!
17 comments:
Hi Mary! Have a wonderful time with Sean. How sweet God is to allow us to have these little precious ones. Boy, can I relate to the monkeys in my head. I am getting a new journal from Lori tomorrow and maybe I will let it be my quiet journal. Great idea, Mary. I have a hard time stopping my brain and being quiet too. You should tell you students at church about this.
Great post, wonderful lesson...I have lots of monkeys! I don't know why, but my mind seems to wander faster lately. it's become difficult for me to stay on one topic for too long, especially if I am in a conversation with someone. I keep bouncing around the banana tree for some reason. So now I have to be extra aware that I am flitting about, and calm down to really listen. Another job for so imperfect me! Thank you for this post and prayers to you and your little sweetie! (PS. I teach 2nd grade!)
I know caring for a little one not quite 2 is difficult when it's more than one day...((hugs)) Sean will learn so much from "Mina" I'm sure he has already. Do you think being with him now helps with Meggie being away?? Pssst. Got my itenary, and have already pulled clothes for my trip..ehehe!!! Do you think I'm anxious to leave??? hehehehe
Mar, Grandchildren open a space in our heart we didn't know was there, right? I am so glad you are having this time with Sean....Kids are truly a gift and blessing....It's amazing what they teach us...sometimes I think I learn more about life from them than do they from me.....
It's not a coincidence that you talked about being "quiet" this morning....that's the theme of the retreat and I think God is getting you in the mindset......being still and listening to God and then being obedient. I think that's why a journal is vital....if I don't write down what I hear, I will forget or just rationalize away what I heard....It's still hard for me to be still, the monkeys go crazy, but like you said God knows our hearts and He's faithful to stay in there with us.....
Have a wonderful day with your precious Sean...
Thank you for the post, I can SO relate to the monkeys. I know you and Sean will have a great time.
Me too with the monkeys. I sit down with my Bible and notebook and coffee and next I am daydreaming and worrying and generally NOT paying attention to what I sat down for.
You're little grandson will be blessed with such loving grandmas. :)
i love it-- hoo hoos bye bye! What a great metaphor. I have so many monkeys. I think it takes pratice to get better. patience with ourselves and practice being still. so tough. XOXO
Enjoy time with your dear grandson sweetie.
Yep, my monkeys keep distracting me, so like you I keep my Bible and journals in reach so that I can access them in a moments notice...I try to do that several times a day. That is true, God knows this about us. And He knows how much we love Him.. Thanks for your encouraging posts...enjoy your little one...aren't they awesome!
Oh I can so relate to this. I'm always wandering off when I'm praying. I always tell my husband that I hung up on God. He just laughs.I'm glad you're getting some quality time with Sean,have fun.
Oh I so understand Mar, about the monkeys jumping around in the ole' head. I even have to take notes at church during the sermon or I'm thinking about 10 other things all at once there. Now and then I find myself doodling then too:>) I am made the same way, and thankfully God knows it and understands. One thing that has really helped me over the years during my quiet devo time is to pick out one main scripture verse that speaks to me in the text and personalize it with my name and everything, as I write it down in my journal. Many of my journal pages have just one verse written down on them. But that's okay, because I usually learn so much from the one verse that God gives me. He knows and understands us! Yeah!!!
Glad you are having a good time with Sean. Even though I know they can wear us out, enjoy every moment. I miss my Pennsylvania grandbabies!!
Oh those grandchildren.
We have just had our daughter and her three boys for the past four days.
To say the least it is interesting.
They have so much energy. I think they have from birth a tube that they can use to siphon energy from adults. It seems to be especially easy to get from grand parents. : )
oh Mary, my monkeys have been especially
boisterous this week....havoc wrecking gremlins!!!
I so appreciate this post and read it at JUST
the right moment!
Thank you:)
-Jennifer
(Quiet, hoo hoos!)
Wishing you less hoo-hoos, but a quiet and reflective spirit this week Mary - and a great time with your grandson!!
This is great...I love the monkey illustration. As a older mom of a four year old I know you have to get up early to have that quiet time...enjoy that grandson!
Oh Mary you are too much. That was really a cute post. And I know you're enjoying the little guy. Love, Mollye
best peace
to all you need
& yearn for
& abide in.
xoxx
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