Dog Days of Summer

Moving into our new home has been terrific, but has also come with all sorts of things to handle on my end. Unpacking those last few boxes, a to-do list that never seems to get any shorter, back to school shopping, making new friends, meeting new people, getting poison ivy (UGH), and a dryer that quit working. To top it all off, my wife and I are now proud parents of a middle-schooler. All that to say, we've been busy.
   Today however, was the first moment that I have had where a midst all the "stuff" going on, I was actually pigeon holed into an hour where I had nothing to accomplish. The porch, the rocking chair, lunch with Carla, and quiet dogs sunning themselves all made for a splendid combination that led me to my first real Dog Day of the summer. 
   Time simply clicked by as I sat in silence and solitude. I stopped long enough to allow myself the blessing of simply saying, "Here am I, Lord," and waiting...
   and being...
     and waiting...
         and being...
   That's it. Simply waiting on the Lord. Not praying, not asking for anything, not intervening on behalf of someone. Simply letting the Holy Spirit minister to my soul in ways that I am sure I needed, but could never recognize or fully comprehend. 
   It's a basic skill really, yet it's complicated to pull off in this day and age. How much time in the month of August have you sat alone in total silence (no music, no tv, phone is turned off, no technology beeping at you, friends are somewhere else, etc.)? What about any time you purposely set out to be alone with the Lord God Almighty? Mind you, being alone and being silent are two entirely different concepts. What about the idea of being both alone with God and being quiet before Him? For most, this is an awkward proposition. Yet, Psalm 16 ends with, "You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." Notice where the source of knowledge, joy, and pleasure reside. Why wouldn't you want to spend time being still and listening?
   Seek the joy comes from simply being in His presence today.

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