I am linking up for the Five Minute Friday. The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung on her blog Heading Home. Today’s prompt is “quiet.”
The hush of the theatre, the lights beating down on my costumed body, standing waiting for the lights to go up. Soon the lights beam down and we are whisked away to a new time and place. My theatre days are days that I actually miss. I loved standing on the stage waiting for a show to begin. Nothing quite like the quiet as the audience watched intently and listened to the story unfolding before their eyes. And then at the end of the show, the quiet was distrupted as the audience applauded our performance. In college, I spent all but one semester either on stage or behind the scenes helping with a performance. I got to play Anne Frank’s mother in the Diary of Anne Frank. I remember well the quiet and hush that fell over our audiences as we told the story.
Much like the hush of the theatre before a performance, one of my fave places to “be still and know that God is God” is on my beloved prairies of North Dakota especially at my favorite Bible camp. I stand and take in the quiet; only a gentle ND breeze whipping up against my face. I listen as the waves lap against the shore. I hear just the faint sounds of birds off in the distance. I look up in the night sky and take in the quiet and silence as I gaze at the amazingness of God’s creation. Now the quiet of night, I give thanks for a God who is always with us.
Quiet can be experienced in so many different ways. Those that read this blog regularly know that I am a huge baby lover. But I have never truly gotten to experience the miracle of birth except what I’ve seen on television. I used to watch the show A Baby Story pretty regularly. My eyes would gaze on the screen and I would watch as the woman would breathe through each contraction. After awhile, the sounds of her breathing was all that could be heard. Quiet in the room until the quiet was broken as the new infant was born into this world. Cries of a newborn infant would break the silence.
Quiet. It is something I am not always good at. But the writer in me finds such peace and comfort when I turn off everything around me and truly take the time to listen to God’s voice. This year, God is asking me to embrace the quiet…to take time to remember that God is indeed in the stillness. It is important for us to take the time to be quiet; to turn off the cell phone, turn off the television, and sit in the holy quietness of a God who always brings us peace.
When I take the time to be quiet, my soul is restored; a soul restored by the quietness of God’s creation–a reminder that God is in control. “Be still and know that I am God!”–Psalm 46:10
I find being quiet peaceful too but it rarely happens in this house. I love the song!!
#10 this week
Glad you loved the song!
Tara,
they didn't film me for "a baby story" because I couldn't stay quiet, Lol. 🙂 I loved your post. I too was addicted to theater. I even picked it up as an optional minor in college. My shyness disappeared when I was playing somebody else. I loved being able to move people.
Perhaps that has translated into writing online. Still wanting to impact people and touch them.
Your post was beautiful. And thank you for the award, I think I can accept it if you'll allow me a little time to get back to responding? 🙂 So blessed that you would choose me among your recipients. (And still, frankly, I'm just tickled about "fuzzy".)
Love,
Tammy
(not linked yet…probably tomorrow morning) 🙂
Whee! Number 11 tonight. I'll be offline shortly, but am so thankful for you. 🙂
HA! Too loud to be on a "A Baby Story." Funny that we were both in theater. Yet another commonality in our lives. You are welcome for the award. Yes, you can totally take all the time you need to get back to responding. I am so glad you are tickled about "fuzzy." It is the truth…so much fun to write that post. Glad to see that you linked up this week.
I truly cherish naptime at my house I very rarely turn anything on I use this as a time to be still and allow him to restore my soul. Love you friend!!!
Laura, I can see why you cherish naptime at your house. Love you right back!
Tara, how fun that you you have been in productions! 🙂 The only one I was in (as a minor character/extra) was Camelot.
As for quiet, there is a serenity in it, isn't there? I love writing at home, when my boys are gone or at school. I don't often turn on music. I sit at our kitchen table, in the quiet, and listen as words for a story, or words from God's heart to mine begin to flow.
There is indeed serenity in the quiet. When I write, I often like to turn off all the other sounds around me too.
Love the song!
I was never in theatre, but did a turn in a talent show, playing the piano…since I could not read music I memorized the piece…and when both hands were off the keyboard, I forgot where to put them.
Now THAT was a special kind of quiet.
#3 at FMF this week.
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2016/01/your-dying-spouse-112-loud-fight-fmf.html
Andrew, glad you loved the song. So cool that you played the piano at a talent show. Yes when your hands left the keyboard and forgot the piece, that was indeed a special kind of quiet. Happens to the best of us though!
Visiting from FMF (this week #14) and from the tall-grass prairie of SW Missouri…just about half-way between Laura's 'Little House on the Prairie' site and Laura and Almanzo's home at Mansfield. In fact, I work at Prairie State Park and my spring programs this year are based on the 'Little House on the Prairie' book. It's good to find a fellow prayin', prairie-lovin' gal on FMF! Blessings to you! <3
Nice to meet you! Glad that you love the prairie too. Blessings to you as well.
Very nice to read about your theater days! I've been in only very few productions, but I also love being in the audience and being carried away by what's happening on stage.
Quiet truly restores the soul, may we be bold to seek it more often.
Katha, thanks. Love that you enjoy being in the audience because without an audience, it would be hard to carry the story. Yes, may we be bold to seek the quiet for sure.
Quiet doesn't come natural to me either, Tara, but it's worth the effort isn't it?
It is worth the effort!
So refreshing when we can get the quiet time in! Thanks for sharing these words! 🙂 (Stopping by from FMF #31)
Rachel, yes! And thank you!
I always enjoyed theatre from the director's point of view (I produced and directed 11 senior plays whilst teaching in Montana). There's something about being able to watch an audience become entranced with the magic the kids pull off (rehearsals NEVER seem to go well, so it was always a shock to see them actually capture their audience 😉 ).
Anita, that is so cool that you have been a director and producer. So much truth to your statement…rehearsals were always crazy. But the minute that curtain went up and there was a live audience…everything changed!
It is important to take time to be quiet and be restored, and I also love time out in quiet places enjoying God's creation. I also took part in theatre, mainly in pantomimes so there wasn't much quiet before the performance (or during it) just some very excited kids. It was lots of fun though.
Carly, time in God's creation is such a wonderful place to experience the quiet. Yes lots of fun.
My quiet time comes in the bathtub 🙂 Do you believe it? We both wrote about newborn babies. I thought I would get to experience the miracle of birth with my Isaac, the c section was scheduled, but birthmom went into labor and had a c section before we arrived…
My 2 oldest LOVE theater and have been in several smaller performances, and a couple of larger ones. Me? Not so much
In the 64 spot today
Christy, I love bubble baths for that very reason…quiet time. FUnny…here we go again writing about the same thing…this time babies. 🙂 Too bad that Isaac's birth mom had to have a c section before you got there. So fun that your 2 oldest LOVE theater!
what wonderful descriptions, and what a privilege to play Anne Frank's mother! I'm parked in #66 today, but fair warning—photobucket, my image host, still is down.
Glad you loved my descriptions. It was privilege to play Anne Frank's mom.
Great post. I read quietly. Can't wait to see your new 'do!!!
Thanks Susan! Did you see the new do? It is my new profile pic on Twitter and I shared on FB the other day too. I love it!!!
So true… Breathing in the quiet. We are in a stage where it's hard to find quiet. Even the baby is such a noisy sleeper!! But, it makes those moments even more rejuvenating.
Annie
annierim.wordpress.com
Annie, I am sure it is hard for you to find quiet. Glad that when you do find some quiet though, it is very rejuvenating for you and your family.
Beautiful words. I especially liked the image of you at the Bible camp, standing and noticing all the lovely little things tucked into this amazing world that God has made. How genius of Him to design it so that we would be moved to worship by the sight of a lake or the scent of a rose!
Thanks Marie! That is one of my fave images in this post too. It is so easy to write about because it is a place that has captured my heart and soul so many times.
Ah yes… longing for Quiet! When you mentioned turning off cell phones it reminded me of a new promo (?) that Chic Fil A is doing… encouraging a bit of unplugged family dinner time… you know, like in the olden days! 😉 Love you, friend!
Karrilee, I think that the new promo (?) that Chic Fil A is dong is so good. We need to remember to turn off our cell phones and simply be. Love you right back, friend!
Yes to this: "It is important for us to take the time to be quiet; to turn off the cell phone, turn off the television, and sit in the holy quietness of a God who always brings us peace." I love your descriptions of quietness and stillness. The soft hush before a performance starts is special for both audience and performers. I used to love drama at school. It was the perfect vehicle for this introvert to lose herself in being someone else!
Life can be chaotic and we crave some quiet in which to write. But the very busyness, noise (and drama?) we experience are the very things which enrich our work as we share them afresh. Your exuberant spirit shines out loud and clear, Tara! Have a blessed weekend, my friend. Xx
Joy, that line is so important. Glad you loved my descriptions of quietness and stillness. I so get that. I think that is why I love theater too…a way for this introvert to lose herself by being someone else. Thank you for your kind words, Joy! Hope you had a blessed weekend!
It's so cool that you used to be in theatre! That sounds like lots of fun. 🙂 And I don't know much about the prairie, but the "river" is my place of quiet and peace. Especially when it's not summer, because there are no boats buzzing along. Just water. And ducks. And quiet. 🙂 Blessings!
Thanks Tasha! It was fun! I can see why the river is your place of quiet. When I am in Colorado in the summer, at my fave continuing ed event, I find peace and quiet by the river too.
"When I take the time to be quiet, my soul is restored; a soul restored by the quietness of God's creation–a reminder that God is in control." Oh how true this is, Tara. I need to remember to do it more often. Blessings to you!
Gayl, I think we all need to remember to do it more often. Blessings to you too!
I'm not always good at quiet either, but God sure meets me when I am. I desire the special meeting with Him. Perfect scripture for the prompt this week, friend. Your words always bless me. Thank you!
Thanks Julie! Glad that my words always bless you. You are so very welcome!
Your ND prairie sounds like the perfect place to "Be still and know that I am God." I feel closest to the Lord when I'm in the midst of His creation – it's my favorite quiet place! Thanks for sharing! ~ Lisa (FMF #73)
Lisa, the ND prairie truly is perfect place for being still and knowing that God is God. I too love being in the midst of creation where I experience quiet.
The prairie of North Dakota…another place on my bucket list. Sigh.
Beautiful post, friend. I also have a love of the theatre, but mine is a movie theatre. I love disappearing for a couple of hours into another world…quieting my worries, cares, and busyness.
Lynette
~#117 this wk
Lynette, you so need to check the ND prairies off of your bucket list soon. I think you would love them! I too enjoy movie theatre as well. Something about disappearing and quieting our worries, cares, busyness etc.