I used to sit at my family piano, chubby little girl fingers on the keys, playing notes to hear the beautiful sound of music.
I was alone, and it was quiet. It was in those times I felt closest to Jesus.
Now, my life is loud. I am not still very often. The space of solitude I long for is filled with calendaring, needs waiting to be met, people counting on me for one reason or another.
Most of the time, I live without dwelling on what I miss. But sometimes, I notice the hectic pace my life has taken on, and it disappoints me. It is in those moments I most long to be that little girl, again…sitting on my piano bench, alone with my music and my Jesus.
But then I remember: I still have that access.
The Jesus I loved then is the same Jesus I love now. He is still just as present. He is ever just as faithful. He will wait for me now, as He did then. He knows that sitting with Him is the place I most need to be.
It is the same for you.
Where is the place you most feel Jesus? When does He speak to you the loudest? With all the noise in your life, are you able to hear Him when He does?
These are all the things I ask, myself. They are all the things I must spend time learning how to value.
The little girl inside both of us has never gone away. She is with us, still, and whether or not her memories are sweet, the one thing that remains is that she has never been without access to her Jesus. Even now: when we most long to hear from Him, He most stands ready to help us listen.
I cannot go back to being a little girl, away from the pull of the world I’ve built around me. But I can still be His little girl, alone in His presence, quiet…reverent…ready to simply let Him be to me what I most need Him to be.
Himself.
By Lisa Whittle {whose daughter, Shae, is the little girl in the picture :)}
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Aurie says
What a beautiful post! I was that little girl also, although my place with in my home church when no one else was there. I would play the piano, sing, pray, or just be quiet. These days it is hard to find a quiet place, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world!
Holley Gerth says
As I head into a busy week, this is a beautiful, much-needed reminder. Thank you!!
Penny says
I was just thinking about this recently, wondering where that little girl went. Where did the joy go? My homelife was terrible, but somehow, my little heart knew that Jesus was good, and He was with me in the chaos. I used to sing these silly made-up songs to him, out loud, all the way home as I walked the sidewalks after school. I miss her.
Lisa Whittle says
I love hearing this, Penny. It touched me. Thank you for sharing.
Tara Cochran says
I really identify with that little girl’s experience. Thank you for sharing. If you don’t mind, I’d like to link to this on my blog @Life Beyond PBJ. It goes right along with my Season of Quiet. Thanks again!
Kate says
What a precious post 🙂
Where do I feel closest to Jesus? It may seem like an obvious answer…. but in The Word. He meets us there 🙂 He can’t help but meet us there….because He IS The Word! John 1:14 and Revelation 19:13 say so! Cool huh?
May the Lord reveal Himself to you in Scripture today, friends 🙂
Blessings,
Kate 🙂
Kathy C. @ In Quiet Places says
One of those closest experiences is when I first wake up in the morning, I sense Him already there waiting for me to take another day’s journey with Him, and for the first few minutes, it is just us, I love that!
Leslie says
Seems strange, but I feel closest to Jesus in the shower. Washing the busy day and mistakes down the drain…ready to start again.
Jan Udlock says
Leslie, I agree. I hear from the Lord in the shower. Sometimes I’m not particularly listening and He’s there speaking to me. It’s the only place I can hide from my five kids and the Lord seems to know it, too.
Teri @ StumblingAroundInTheLight says
So, so hard to take time out of the cacophony of life…and seek silent space with my Jesus.
And yet – always – when I do…
Awe. Gratitude. Peace. Rest.
Thank you for the much-needed reminder!
Teri
Rhonda J. Smith says
Such a beautiful piece, Lisa. I most feel Jesus in my quiet place in the morning and in the midst of my noisy days when it’s only God that helps me get through them. I am so glad He is who He is.
Thanks for sharing your heart.