I recently went to a silent retreat for a weekend. Once there, I noticed it was taking quite some time for my body and soul to unwind and slow down. Both finally matched the restful, tranquil and sacred place where I was.
Why did it take so long for my body and soul to wind down?
Like a car at 160 miles an hour, it took time to literally slow down my thoughts, the pace of my walking and my wandering notions (“did I leave my car door unlocked?”)
I then got a picture of my heart and soul surrounded by a big ball of yarn where each day adds a few more inches over both. Layer after layer of yarn added as a result of my busy, loud, fitful life.
As a result of this experience, I now plan to take a few moments each morning and evening to sit in silence and solitude and allow some of the accumulated yarn of the day, that has wrapped around my heart and soul, to be gently cut away by a caring Savior.
I encourage you to try this.
For me, it’s what I have to have to do to not get sucked into the vortex of my busy world which tries to lay claim to the affection and motives of my heart. I must not allow this to happen. I must pause and “be still” to “know that He is God”. (Psalm 46:10)
The Ball of Yarn
An ever growing ball of yarn
Now the size of farmer’s barn
Is wrapped around my heart and soul
It blocks the light and takes its toll
This yarn is made of thoughts and doubt
Of worry and stresses that ever shout
Of new ideas that crowd my mind
And keep my heart so deep entwined
No longer am I free today
Now all I see is earthly ways
I claw and strive for what I need
From this yarn I must be freed
This ball of angst it blocks my heart
It keeps me from my holy part
Of living fully in the Lord
Instead I turn and so do horde
All the worries of my day
I move them close where they then sway
The pure desire I have for Thee
And now my sole and only plea
Is to unwind this covering
To let my heart begin to sing
In the way it’s meant to be
Walking through this world with glee
Lord help me daily rest in Thee
Let this be my morning plea
To pause and let the yarn today
In silent spaces fall away
So my love can purely be
Forever aimed at Holy Thee
Where the pull and angst of life
Is cut away by Savior’s knife
///
WGS
11/9/22
