Perhaps we don’t see her often or even hear from her, but she is still there. She is quiet at times, introspective, and frequently misunderstood. I must believe most of us are this way from time to time. Even when she isn’t seen, she is in others’ thoughts, conversations, and prayers. Like a long wait for rain during the dry summer months, she need not become impatient with herself. She is ever-changing, growing, and getting ready for a new purpose. She will resurface, and the refreshment that she’ll bring will awaken those around her, but not without solitude.
Her Thoughts Linger
She has walked away from parts of her world recently. It has been necessary. Her thoughts linger and remind her of the beauty and possibility that exists, but her heart has needed a little extra time. Piece by piece, what she has walked so quickly past, deemed as unimportant, or casually placed on momentary rest, has begun to return as a peppering of thoughts that catch her off guard. After the solitude, she will again welcome what has been missing and begin to remember its value. The stretch has not been wasted. God has plans that are often concealed until the work of time has prospered
The Only Way
She notices that the sun has begun to lower itself behind the trees as the ground holds onto as much light as possible. She keeps the curtains open, so she doesn’t miss the evening glow. She brushes past the bedroom window in her usual quick pace. She is in her habitual posture of trying to multitask and move to the next hour. Her mind has begun to bring her rushing to her attention; she longs for aloneness, for it is the only way to move forward.
In Their Solitude
Through the window, her eye catches spots of red. Her mind knows this is something fresh, unusual, and odd. She tries to carry on, but cannot ignore the curiosity. There on the shady sloping hill are mushrooms gleaming in the sunset, patiently waiting for her to turn her head and notice. In their solitude, they’ve gently surfaced in a day.
Beneath The Earth
The next morning, she waited for the sun to be in its perfect position before heading to yesterday’s spots of red. With her camera around her neck, she sees mushrooms, fairy rings, and an odd frog sitting in the shadows. The mushrooms are striking and numerous. No one knew of their presence a day ago. Secluded beneath the earth, they were there making a difference; continuing to spread as they enriched the soil. Today, they emerge changed, ready to be understood. They have a new resolve.
In Our Solitude
The quiet places in our souls survive as the mushrooms of the forest. Often ignored, stepped on, and rarely seen, but they’re very much alive. Over a short time, the mushroom changes, flourishes, and peacefully shares its full abundance. Like the mushrooms, some of our best days are grown in our solitude. In the dampness of life, while we think we just might not survive, God is crafting our next chapter. When His quiet work is complete, we emerge ready. Unrecognizable? Maybe. But isn’t that the intention?
Alone And Unseen
An hour passes before she looks up to see that the sun has shifted. The camera lens told her it was time to wrap up the exploration. With her head down, she had discovered so many new and unusual mushrooms that had bulged on the quiet, damp earth. Alone and unseen, they grew and became phenomenal living beings.
Not Without Solitude
Tuck yourself in a quiet corner, find solitude, and allow the course to move you to your next stretch. What started as fungi under the soil emerges and turns the heads of those once unconcerned. It is true you do not see her as often, and you may have even forgotten her, but He is cultivating her, using her adversities, and will eventually bring her back into view to be a light for all to see.
But not without solitude~
Stay Curious,
