“Sometimes you just need to disconnect and enjoy your own company.” Unknown

Last night, after over a years absence, we finally reentered our church. In the Christian religion, yesterday was Maundy Thursday and on that night, from 8pm to 8 am, our church participates in The Watch. There are a select number of spots for people to sign up to watch the church in one-hour increments. It’s a tradition that is tied to the Bible when Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to watch while he prayed.

I have never participated in this before, although Doug has done it many times. When we entered the church last night at 10 pm it was beautiful, peaceful, and silent. There was one other couple there as well who happened to be friends of ours. After a brief, “Hello! How are you?” we all hunkered down in silence for the next hour. I spent that time reading scripture, praying, and simply taking in the peace and silence. It was amazing.

“Solitude is where I place my chaos to rest and awaken my inner peace.” Nikki Rowe

When do we ever do that—sit alone in silence? We have moments when we are alone, for sure, but we fill them up with busyness like watching T.V. or folding clothes. We feel we need to fill the empty space, but do we? What would happen if we took a 15-minute challenge and sat alone in silence? No prayer or meditation, just us alone with ourselves and our thoughts? I’m still feeling peace-filled from my special time last night. It’s just a thought. Give it a try. What do you have to lose?

“We need solitude, because when we’re alone, we’re free from obligations, we don’t need to put on a show, and we can hear our own thoughts.” Tamim Ansary

With Gratitude,

Beth