About the Author

Jennifer Dukes Lee is the author of several books, including Growing Slow. She and her husband live on the family farm, raising crops, pigs, and two humans. She’s a fan of dark chocolate, emojis, eighties music, bright lipstick, and Netflix binges. She wants to live life in such a way...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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Comments

  1. Jennifer,
    I love how you point out being focused on the presence of God vs. the absence of movement. Why do we have this preconceived notion that we need to be perfectly still in our favorite chair in order to experience the presence of God? Sure, quiet and stillness help – that’s why I rise early before the clatter and chaos of my day begins, but you are so right in pointing out that we can be in communion with God with dishes in the sink and water up to our elbows. I know that I need Him more in aggravating traffic, going into a lab for tests, in the words I choose in conversations with my children. In the middle of the night I communed with God while up with a sick dog. I caught a glimpse of the moon and immediately I knew…He was there. I hope you have a wonderfully relaxing trip and come back rejuvenated and refreshed! Thanks for the reminder to take God with me today and not leave Him behind in my quiet time.
    Blessings,
    Bev

    • Hey Bev! I think it takes both, yes? We need those focused moments of stillness, in order to get ourselves grounded, so that we can carry stillness through our days. I love what Brother Lawrence has to teach all of us about being in communion with God, no matter if we are at work or at rest. … Thank you for your good wishes for my trip. We have just returned. I wrote this last week, right before we left. It was truly a welcome respite.

  2. So true Jennifer… and living in a place that others consider a vacation destination doesn’t guarantee that stillness either!
    It doesn’t get a lot of fanfare for a Spiritual Discipline, but I think that sometimes it’s the key to all the others.
    I hate when the busy-ness within my head, the “what if’s” and “to do’s” step up their game when I can find the time and place to physically be still. That’s when I focus on a good worship cd (or song on repeat!) and breathe in The Word.
    Thanks for sharing good words… inspiring and challenging!

    • oh…. what an interesting point you make about vacation destination. It’s like the people who live in a city with a famous park or landmark, but rarely — if ever — do they go.

      (Also? Worship music is my go-to, when I want to drown out the noise of the what ifs.)

  3. This is so beautiful Jennifer, and I sense this stillness in nearly everything you write. Funny. I always think that I will experience stillness and calm when I’m on vacation, but it rarely ever happens, because there are so many new things to see and do (unless I “hole up” at our cabin, which I love to do. I feel so close to God there). But as you and Bro. Lawrence demonstrate stillness is really a relationship with God and a “state of soul” from which deep peace emanate. I love this quote by Anne Morrow Lindbergh and thought perhaps that your readers might enjoy it too:
    “I want first of all… to be at peace with myself. I want a singleness of eye, a purity of intention, a central core to my life that will enable me to carry out these obligations and activities as well as I can. I want, in fact–to borrow from the language of the saints–to live ‘in grace’ as much of the time as possible. I am not using this term in a strictly theological sense. By grace I mean an inner harmony, essentially spiritual, which can be translated into outward harmony. I am seeking perhaps what Socrates asked for in the prayer from the Phaedrus when he said, ‘May the outward and inward man be one.’ I would like to achieve a state of inner spiritual grace from which I could function and give as I was meant to in the eye of God.” Actually, I’m not sure of Lindbergh’s theology, but I find value in the quote. And I personally want to live at peace–in stillness–with Christ. Thanks so much for sharing, Jennifer.
    Love
    Lynn

  4. Well said, Jennifer. In the last 6 months I’ve changed my life dramatically. Instead of being a stay at home mom of adult kiddos, now I’m building a new business doing something that I never thought would be possible and had laid at the foot of the cross many times. As exciting as this is, it means my days are packed and finding time to sit still and be still is harder and harder to do. But in asking the Lord to help me abide in Him in the midst of the busyness, I’m experiencing what you’ve described. In the midst of it all I can be still and know that He is God. All I have to do is stop my mind and intentionally focus on who He is and my spirit starts to lift. Praises come into my mind and heart and a smile appears on my face for no other reason than I am His and I know He loves me. It’s pretty amazingly awesome to know that no matter how crazy a day I have, I am loved more than I’ll be able to understand here on this earth.

  5. Jennifer,
    Yes, yes I know personally what you mean when you say to develop stillness within the context of the busyness. Two days last week I was doing, doing, heading to meetings, preparing for guests and the Lord whispered, “Sit with me a while”. My flesh wanted to RUSH to get my agenda items accomplished but I am so glad I obeyed. I was awash in His presence and His peace flooded my heart on both occasions. Praying for your peace in His presence.

    • So good, Inspired Life! And that’s how to live the inspired life, yes? To listen to the nudges from God, to dwell in His presence, and to obey when He calls. Grateful for your words here today.

  6. Stillness is not the absence of movement, but the presence of God! THAT’s good!

    Really happy that you are getting some beach vacationing in…..is it wrong that I am also jealous? 🙂 ENJOY!

    • It was a wonderful time. I actually wrote this last week, just before we took off, and now we’re home again. My nose is peeling. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Karen.

  7. Jennifer, you have delightfully expressed Brother Lawrence’s way of life for us who live in the 21st century. Surely, he too, would have experienced God in the Legos, if he lived today! Especially appreciated the idea that stillness of spirit includes remembering who we are: light, treasures, beloved, and blessed. Thank you, Jennifer!

  8. Love every last one of these truths! Life is indeed hard at times, but we press in even harder. So glad ‘every good gift’ is from our Father!
    Enjoy His Presence right there on the beach!

  9. This is so beautiful. As I spent time with the Lord this morning, this verse was on my mind. I’m far from having this down, but am learning how to truly be still before him. Thank You for sharing this. I so love how God ties the pieces of my life together by His word.

    • Oh, I love when God does that … brings up a verse again and again through the day in a variety of ways. So glad He connected us through that verse today, Dianne. I hope you had a great day.

  10. Beautiful post, thank you! This is what my website is all about.I traveled the world looking for ‘something more’–until I found Christ–and discovered true rest is found by abiding in God where we are. Have a blessed vacation, too!

    • thank you, a calling..I’m very grateful to find Incourage..such rich content! Will enjoy this holy journey with you all!

  11. Love this and you and I want to learn to practice His presence and allow Him to pause me from this pace I’m so prone to. As always, so thankful for you Jennifer…SO much. And trusting you had a marvelous time. xoxo

  12. What a beautiful post! So much to think about and ponder! Thank you! May you find refreshment and stillness on the beach and wherever else you may find yourself with Him! God bless your trip with safe travel mercies and relaxation!

  13. The courage to be still…..I need to remind myself to be still if I want to hear the whisper of God. The ability to quiet my thoughts eludes me at times. The courage to be still…..I need a stack of post it notes all over the house to remind me to be still or else I will miss a good Word from God.

  14. Being still…. a single focus, being without distraction… you’re so right, this intense drinking in of Him can happen anywhere, and that thrills me so much. I can tap into who He is when I close off everything else from distracting my heart.
    Love you words, Jennifer, my soul gets to heave a happy sigh at the truth here today!

  15. Jennifer,
    Thanks for a great perspective on stillness. We can stop in our busyness for a minute and focus on God. We can commune with God right where we are and ask Him to still our souls. For me-my job causes stress & angst within me. Just walking in my home and being away from the hustle and bustle of big city calms me down. While at work or doing stuff at home I usually have Christian music on so as to keep His presence in mind at all times. I need His presence most at work!
    Have a great & relaxing vacation! 🙂

  16. It’s so comforting to know I’m part of a Community of Fellow Sisters whom I can raise a high 5