At Home in the Quiet

As a writer, I’m always paying attention to my surroundings. The books I read and places I go reward my inner world with a myriad of thought-provoking topics. I also keep a journal of quotes from authors who speak to my greatest need of the moment.

Wendell Berry is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read many of his books of prose and poetry. One of his most popular books is Hannah Coulter, a simple, yet profound, story of the life of a woman in rural Kentucky. I first listened to this book on Hoopla and loved it so much I ordered the paperback version. I want to share one of the quotes that gives insight to my writing life.

The quote comes on page 87. I’m including a good portion of the paragraph for context:

 

“…That is where I go to rest before I begin my slow climb back home again. I sit and let the quiet come to me. It doesn’t come right away. I have to quiet myself before I can hear the quiet of the place, and a car passing along the road up on the hillside or an airplane flying over makes it harder. But I listen and wait, and at last, it comes. It is an old quiet, only deepened by the sound of the creek, a bird singing, or a barking squirrel.”

 

This passage stirs something deep inside me. I love the quiet times when I sit before the Lord attentive to His voice. There is no way on earth to hear Him in the busy world we live in unless we get quiet, and I’m very much at home in the quiet, but sometimes I must seek it.  And just as Hannah says, “It (the quiet) doesn’t come right away…but at last, it comes.”

Do you run on empty, or fumes at best? If you’re like me, the noise of social media is overwhelming and at times suffocating. As the political season ramps up again, my phone notifications have increased many times over. As a dear friend says, “It’s too much!” Our world is too loud. I run to passages such as the one above to quiet my soul.

Being an introvert, the posture of sitting quietly is enough for me. It awakens my senses to all of creation around me. It slows my pulse to the beat of birdsong and squirrels rustling through leaves. It allows my mind to ponder the thoughts that swirl through my brain, and yet, it slows those very same thoughts and creates wonder and recognition of beauty. 

Sitting outside as a gentle, springtime breeze wafts across my face, sunlight peeking through branches, I'm reminded that light cannot be stopped. It has the power to slip through and cut the darkness like a knife. And one day, the Light of the world will descend on a cloud and pierce the darkness with His presence. I'd miss all this without the stillness.

The ebb and flow and rhythm of life speaks through a megaphone in the quiet corners of my soul and leaves me filled to overflowing with God’s goodness.

Only then am I able to give and serve in the way God created me. If you’re struggling with too much noise, find a quiet place where the sound of a rippling stream transports you to that place of rest and peace that only God can give. He will fill you and strengthen you to live out your calling in a world that needs to hear your voice. 

Quietly, of course.

 

 

Temptation 101

This morning, I read Matthew 4:1-11, the scripture that accompanied my devotional reading for today. You know the passage where Satan tempts Jesus in the wilderness. I’ve read this multiple times throughout my life. This time it hit me differently. No doubt Jesus and Satan knew each other well. They had been adversaries for Millenia since the fall of the angels from heaven’s glory. In this context, Jesus is God/man, and no longer in heaven’s realm. He is fasting and praying in the wilderness for forty days. His enemy is watching and waiting for his moment to strike. He approaches Jesus three times, and three times, Jesus quotes scripture to defend Himself. 

My role as Gigi gives me opportunity and
responsibility to protect, encourage, and teach

Satan recognizes His physical weaknesses and challenges Jesus to betray what He knows is right and follow him. But Jesus responds to this evil being with the power that comes from God Himself.

How much more should we, as humans, respond likewise? Our enemy will take advantage of the weakest place in our personality, physical makeup, family situation, emotional condition, and social standing. His one goal is to destroy you. The Bible says in 1Peter 5:8– “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” NIV

It also says in Job 1:7 – Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.”NLT

Those are sobering words. In his arrogance, he spoke to the God of the universe with disrespect and contempt. We have a saying in our family, “don’t poke the bear.” Satan was not only poking the bear, he was challenging the only true God who created the very earth he claimed to be patrolling. 

If he will do that to the God of the universe, we mortals are mere toys for him to bat around, confuse, and destroy. He has all the tools he needs to succeed, except One.

The Bible tells us to put on the full armor of God so we may be able to defeat the evil one. 

 

Belt of Truth: Protects from lies and deceptions

Breastplate of Righteousness: Protects our heart

Shoes of Peace: Ready for battle, based on the gospel

Shield of Faith: Extinguishes the fiery darts of the enemy

Helmut of Salvation: Guards the mind with the assurance of faith

Sword of the Spirit: The Word of God – used offensively to combat spiritual attacks

Also with these two cuties

In a world where we will be tempted in every way possible just as Jesus was, we have the solution for battle. He will come at us when we’re weary, when we have family issues, when we’re hungry, when we’re lonely, when we’re scared, when we’re bored, when we think no one is looking, and when we think we’re on top of the world. The blessed peace in knowing all this is that I have a Savior who loves me and wants the best for me.

One of the most tender things about the passage in Matthew 4:1-11 comes in verse 11: 

And these two little loves

“Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.”

The angels ministered to Jesus at the conclusion of his temptations. That spoke volumes to me because I’ve been there—exhausted with fighting an unseen enemy, broken by family dysfunction, sorrowful because of loss (too many losses for one person), and one regret piled on top of the other. But God…. He knows my every need and broken place. He not only sent His angels—at times I felt like it was His very own hand comforting me when all looked hopeless.

That’s what He did for me, and that’s what He’ll do for you. We are targets for the enemy when we’re not protected. Your mind, heart, and body are too important to leave exposed. Guard them wisely. 

And as a closing reminder, if your children are too young to understand the schemes of the evil one, it’s your responsibility to protect them at all cost. The consequences may exact a high cost to you, but God is there to minister to your need, and He will never leave you or forsake you.

2025, You Were A Good Year

 Before we press into a new year, I love looking back at the previous year. I don’t want to miss an opportunity to reflect on God’s goodness before saying goodbye to the memories of 2025.

 

It was a good year for me overall. There were heartbreaking moments, but that’s just part of living in a fallen world with broken people. I’m thankful for good health, a loving family, friends that love and support me, and a church where I serve and grow in my relationship with Christ.

 

Cindy, Katy, Laura
- The Cove

I was able to attend the Asheville Christian Writer’s Conference again in February with my dear friends, Katy and Laura. That weekend in February is sacred time for me. It helps me reset and redefine my goals for writing and gives me time to actually write uninterrupted. This year, I met with Andrea Merrell, who agreed to edit my book. She was excellent to work with and also provided great resources to complete my book for publication.

 

We traveled to Breckenridge, Colorado in March with Andy and his family. We played in the snow, skied, visited a train museum, climbed to the top of Red Rocks Amphitheatre, ate yummy food, and spent quality time as a family. Leaving my luggage at the car rental place didn’t even put a damper on our vacation.

In Colorado

 

Earl and I traveled to Ohio to visit my Aunt Lorse, my mom’s younger sister. I hadn’t seen her in fourteen years. I also visited with her son, Bobby, who I hadn’t seen in nearly 50 years. We had a wonderful time of catching up and reminiscing on memories long forgotten. We left her home and traveled north to Lake Eerie where we spent a few days sitting by the water enjoying sunshine and cooler temps.

 

Life wouldn’t be normal without a few heartaches. In October, Andy’s thirteen-year-old dog, Beau, had to be put to sleep after a few months of failing health. Beau was a special dog – tenderhearted and sensitive. For the first few years of his life, he came to stay with me during the day while Andy worked. He comforted me during some of my darkest days, gently licking my tears as they fell down my cheeks. He’d sit beside me while I lay on the sofa and place a paw across my arm. Once, he even crawled on the sofa covering me with his body. I will never forget him for the way he knew when I needed him most. He will forever be missed when I pull into Andy and Morgan's driveway and silence greets me at the door.

Beau

 

2026 will probably be the year my sixteen-year-old cat, Livvy, meets the same fate as Beau. She's now blind and spends most days circling the house from room to room in a stupor. She allows me to hold her like a baby, which she never did before. I will cherish the time I have left with her remembering all her little quirks and the way she prefers me over anyone else.

 

 

The Broken Road, A Journey to Healing was published in October and is one of the greatest blessings of my life. I will never get over God’s goodness and faithfulness in guiding me in the process. The highlight of my year was the book signing/celebration Andy and Morgan hosted at my church in November. Everything was perfect from the food and flowers, to the tiniest detail in decorations and special touches. I felt loved and celebrated.

 

And to round out the ending of 2025, my husband sold our family business of thirty-seven years and officially retired. He’s already making plans though for the days he’ll go in and work for the new owner, Josh, who’s been an employee for twenty-two years. He also has big plans for fishing trips, woodworking projects, and time with me.

 

As I age, I see the circle of life unfold before me. I’m thankful for my precious grandchildren who bring so much joy, laughter, and love to our lives. God is good and faithful and whatever is ahead of us in 2026, we know He will already be there. His love is better than life and we’re secure in the future He’s planned for us.

 

Many blessing to you and your family in 2026!