Have you noticed how hard it is to be still these days? Even if you want to be, the world around you seems to sabotage your efforts. Phones still ring (or buzz), blackberries still sing out, E-mail still signals its arrival, IPODs still play and the TV always cries out to be watched.
All of us benefit from moments of quiet. Spiritually, they are the times God speaks and we can actually hear Him. Physically, our bodies rejuvenate in those peaceful times. Emotionally, we can refill our cups as our brain quietly visits long lost subject areas.
I believe children especially need to be quiet sometimes. Here, many kids find themselves on the fast track, with different activities every day of the week. Our kids are a bit different. We purposefully do not overbook them, and we build in a break time each day.
Quiet Time is when each child spends time alone for about 2 hours each afternoon. It's amazing how they enjoy that time! Though only 6, 5 and 3 (the youngest sleeps), they seem to crave the quiet time of creating, reading and day dreaming. I came in last week to find my oldest daughter laying on the carpet in a path of sunlight under her window. When I asked what she was doing, she said, "I'm working on a story." It was in her head.
I'm writing this now during Quiet Time. My oldest just came down to show me a creation she made with wire, popsicle sticks and a bead. I can hear the birds outside and a faint lawn mower blocks away, but nothing else. It's delightful.
Love,
Lucy
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