My girls have a teen activity tonight at church and I’m using this time to write instead of messing with traffic. The teens started in the gym playing games, the music was loud, and I administered first aid by the giving of a band-aid. Then, they all moved downstairs for the rest of the evening and I’m alone in the lobby at the front desk. The only noise I hear is the humming of the heater and ice maker. I look around at the vacant halls, empty gym, and locked up doors. It’s simply peaceful and I love it. Call me crazy, but I’m really enjoying this time.
I grew up in the church as a pastor’s daughter, so the church building itself was always a second home to me. It was where I would practice the piano or sing from the pulpit. It was where I could have my devotions in the sanctuary alone and encounter God in a different way than on Sunday mornings with all the crowds. I’m nowhere near the sanctuary right now, nor do I have my Bible handy, but I’m at home here. Home in this quiet and peaceful setting where I am able to simply be. There’s no true agenda and nothing to do but sit.
Little things have been happening recently in my life that made me want to run away and get away from it all. I have been dreaming of finding somewhere I could simply be with God, and with myself, so expectations would be gone and troubles would be far from me. I just needed a break from life in general. Have you ever felt that way? Tired, frustrated, overwhelmed, or confused? Wondering why that problem of so many years ago just hit you in the face again when you thought it was long over?
I’m here to share with you that peace can be found in the simple humming of a heater or ice maker. God never ceases to amaze me at how many times He meets me where I am and provides for me what I specifically need. Tonight I needed His peace and I found it in the ice maker. Do you need some ice?
© 2013 Susan M. Sims
Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net / gt_pann
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Some of the most peaceful times for me have been in an empty, dimly lit church playing the piano.