Tuesday December 29 2015  SOLITUDE

For some reason the word SOLITUDE just popped into my mind as I sat down before my computer.  Perhaps one reason is because Dave just left for the rest of the day and I feel as if I have a day off.  That sounds pretty bad when I say it like that.  Dave is much more help to me than he is work, so that is not the reason.  He is great company, an interesting conversationalist, treats me wonderfully, and retreats to his “man cave” off and on throughout each day to do paperwork, walk on the treadmill, and watch football games. (Plus, he always cleans the kitchen up after each meal.)  So it is not like I don’t have time alone.  But it is not the same.  When he is gone the house is noticeably quiet.  There is a stillness that settles over it as if the absence of sound becomes a sound unto its own.  To be the only one in a house is a peaceful experience for me.  I love it when it happens but at this point in my life I am always expecting that Dave will be back so I don’t really feel isolated or lonely. 

One of the definitions of “solitude” is LONELINESS.  At this point in my life I do not experience solitude as loneliness.  Solitude to me is having privacy and isolation from distracting disturbances.  It is a seclusion to be savored and enjoyed for every moment of time that it is available.  There is a distinct separateness that surfaces.  Separated from outside forces and people and sounds that are distracting.  Oh how I long for these occasional occurrences of solitude.  So, I am fashioning my life around these special interludes so that I will be able to relish and appreciate the treasure they are. 

It doesn’t even matter what task or pleasure I decide to do.  Whatever I am doing when I am alone in the house, I enjoy immensely!

Now back to the definitions and synonyms of SOLITUDE:  “loneliness, privacy, isolation, seclusion, separateness, and aloneness.”  I can identify with each definition except loneliness.  When I am in solitude I am never lonely.  Other than God, I am my own best friend.  Dave is my next best friend.  Until we can be a friend to ourselves, I don’t know if we can truly be a best friend to someone else.  The Bible teaches that we are first to love God and then ourselves so that we can then love our neighbors as ourselves.  That is a very strong teaching statement coming from the Holy Word of God.  It brought to my mind a certain young lady I met on my travels this year.  I was at Butchart Gardens in Canada and was asking a group of twelve and thirteen year old girls what was the greatest wisdom they had learned in their short lives.  A pretty young girl of thirteen turned to me with a serious look on her face, and said in a quiet sure voice, “I’ve discovered that we need to learn to love ourselves first, before we can expect others to love us”.  I thought those were profound words coming from someone so young.  It made me pause and wonder what had happened in her short life to open her heart to this kind of deep insight.  God’s perspective was that we need to love ourselves so that we know how to love others.  Perhaps loving ourselves also makes it easier for others to love us too.  Somehow this young girl had figured it out.   

Perhaps learning to love self is something that we must individually stop to investigate in our own lives.  I have met a lot of people who, if I had to venture a guess, I would surmise that they don’t know how to love themselves, though to me it seems it would come naturally.  But, there are so many variables to consider, such as how were they raised, who raised them, what past emotional traumas have they dealt with, and the questions could go on and on.  And then I wonder, if people don’t love themselves, do they know that they don’t?  Have you ever thought about this?  If not, perhaps you might want to pause (in solitude) and search your heart and discover if you do love yourself.  I’m not insinuating loving yourself as in selfish narcissism.  That kind of love connotes vanity, self-absorption, egotism, conceit, and self-importance.  The kind of love that I am speaking about toward self has more to do with how God’s scripture tells us to clothe ourselves daily with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, forgiving ourselves as well as others, and binding everything together with love.  When we love ourselves in this way it is only then that we truly know how to love others.  Just think about how wonderful it would be if each person loved themselves in this manner.  Do you treat yourself with compassion and kindness?  Do you show humility and gentleness with both self and others?  Do you forgive yourself when you make mistakes?  Can you forgive others easily?  Do you show caring love to yourself so you can then extend it to another? 

I know that it is a fast paced, rat race world out there, and many may think that they don’t have time to show love to themselves, much less to the masses around them.  I think that is where you are wrong.  If you have the love of God in you, let God know how much you love Him.  Then learn to love yourself, and perhaps then you will have unending love to give to others.  The more we love God, the more love we can feel Him pouring into us.  The more smiles we offer, the more we will have to give.   Take time to be good to yourself.  Eat nourishing food, exercise, get good rest, and take time for solitude.  Somehow, every day, even if it is five minutes in the bathroom by yourself, let God know you love Him.  Praise Him for who He is.  Allow him to flood you with His love, first for yourself so that it will flow out of you to others.  You might be surprised how it will change your life.  If you watch television consider giving up one of your shows and spend that time with God so that your spirit will be daily renewed.  Perhaps somehow in your busy day you can carve out a few moments of being in Solitude with the one who is your creator.  Give it a try.  You might like it!  Your blessings will be bountiful.

 SOLITUDE WITH GOD

By Kathleen Martens

December 29, 2015

Alone with God in a quiet place

Solitude of the heart is born.

Sacred beyond time and space,

His love over you He adorns.

Private isolation in glorious peace

In separateness from the world.

God spreads over you a banner,

And His love over you unfurled.

Savor the interval of seclusion,

Cherish beyond measure.

Delight in the desired moments

For this hour is such a treasure.

Matthew 22: 36-39

³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment.³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

COLOSSIANS 3:12-17

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Good night and God bless you!

P.S.  Below is a poem I wrote several years ago that ties in with the above scripture.  This poem is one that I refer to as my “SCRIPTURE POETRY”.  When I am reading scriptures I sometimes feel a poem blossoming in my heart and sometimes I write it down such as I did with this one.  It is totally inspired by the WORD OF GOD.  I only incased it in my own imaginative flowery style.  I hope you enjoy it.

CLOTHE YOURSELF

Colossians 3:12-15

Kathleen Martens

June 15, 2011

Oh Lord You are my God and King,

My heart praises and to Your glory I sing.

I know in my heart I am Your chosen one

For I have received Your Precious Son.

Because of atonement dearly loved.

You send your instruction from above.

You tell me how to clothe best,

To live in your peace and how to rest.

First of all I shall dress with compassion,

For it never goes out of fashion.

Next is kindness by Your command

So I should never my way demand.

The garment of humility is layered next.

My heart in peace less likely vexed.

Gentleness comes with adornment sweet,

So many challenges it helps to meet.

And then comes patience – sturdy wear,

For it makes life easier to bear.

To be with each other and forgive,

By ridding grievances life easier to live.

Forgive, as the Lord forgives you,

Then add one last layer and I am through.

Over all these virtues one layer binds.

The finishing touch, one of a kind.

The garment of love – in unity ties.

The perfect fit – the perfect size.