LIFE RIGHT NOW â—½ YOU
Let's Stay Home
by Jennifer Stephens
It’s my favorite place to be. It’s the place I could happily exist 99.9% of the time - if it was socially acceptable. It’s not. Apparently staying there too much labels one a “hermit” or “recluse.” So, I get dressed up, slather on makeup, and curl my hair. Then off I go. To the grocery store. The thrift store. Parties, even. If you ever spot me out in the wild, just know that while I may appear to be having a fantastic time (okay, maybe I truly am having a ball), I’m secretly counting the minutes - the seconds - until I can return to the place where the dress code consists of yesterday’s comfy clothes plucked off the floor, messy hair buns, and me nestled inside heated blankets. With dogs. It’s cozy, it’s quiet, it’s…
Home.
Dorothy gets it. She famously told us, “There’s no place like home,” while traveling the golden streets of Oz. We’re all familiar with the saying, “Home Sweet Home,” from the lyrics of the 1823 opera Clari and we fondly recall Kevin McCallister fiercely protecting his house from thieves in the movie Home Alone. There’s just something about being home.
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But home is more than just a place. It’s more than four walls filled with our stuff. It’s a feeling. A comfort. A sanctuary for our soul. When life out there gives noise, our hearts long for quiet. The world is loud – traffic rumbling, horns blaring, phones buzzing, lights blinding, voices screeching. All demanding our immediate attention. The world is LOUD…but God is quiet.
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In 1 Thessalonians 4:11 we are reminded to “make it your ambition to lead a quiet life…” In a world filled with noise, how do we live quietly?
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scrolling less - Let’s put our phones down and pick up a book. Or a paintbrush. Or a pen. Reading, painting (or any crafting), and journaling quiet our minds. Word searches and other brain games are another fun way to give ourselves peace. Remove those pesky notifications too - living without the constant dingbuzz interrupting our thoughts adds instant calm.
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skipping events - If the squares on the calendar suddenly leave zero blank spaces, consider saying “no” to the next ask. Only accept the social invitations that mean the most and simply decline the rest. No long-winded explanation required. Offer a simple, “Thanks for thinking of me, but I’m not able to attend.” Kids don’t need to join every sports team and attend every activity either. Give yourself and your family the gift of time.
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listening more – Consider turning off the radio in the car and don’t leave the television on 24/7 (guilty!). Don’t be afraid of silence. Pouring my tired body (and worn-out ears) into the driver’s seat after a long day teaching found comfort in the sweet sounds of silence on the quiet commute home. Don’t do all the talking when you pray. Listen. Pause. God speaks loudest in the quietest places. When engaging with others, remember we don’t need to give our opinions about everything or share our thoughts on every single topic. When we focus on listening and not on what we’ll say in the void, we learn.
Embracing a quiet life when the world demands more isn’t always easy to do. Setting boundaries and taking small steps each day can move us closer toward our goal. Spend time outside. Touch grass. Touch snow. Feel the wind splash your cheeks. Let’s replace LOUD living with an intentionally quiet life. And even when we have to be out there doing the things, our hearts can hold onto the quiet comforts of home.
How do you lead a quiet life?