In the night, in the quiet.

At that time  Eli was lying down in his room. The lamp of the Lord had not yet gone out and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord. 1 Samuel 3: 2-3 (paraphrased.)
Quiet times before sleep, during the night and before rising are so special. There, in the quiet of the night and pre dawn, in the stillness, is God. Its quality time together.   It amazes me that we can read the bible over and over again all our life yet somethings of significance, small things usually, don't  sink in until one day, they are suddenly revealed. How many times have you read this passage from Samuel before you registered that its when we are being still and quiet ie lying down, resting, its then we are open to the voice of God. Not in the business of the day. Not in the rush of preparation . Its in the quiet, the stillness.  As we begin to engage fully with this New Year may we remember how the voice of God spoke to Samuel in the stillness and quiet of the night. Its here, in the time of relaxation and pre sleep and the stillness of waking that we slow down, let down our bodies and minds so  the new thoughts and dreams emerge. Its at that time we are open to the voice of God calling us to fulfill  our hopes and dreams. His hopes and dreams.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne,servant of the Lord.