Be Still

I have been reading a book by Taylor Caldwell, a woman who wrote novels from 1938 through 1966. I've read a couple of her books, but this one is special. It's titled "No One Hears But Him." It's about different "souls" who go to a Sanctuary built on a hill in the middle of a city, where they can talk to someone. That someone, of course, is God. Each soul has a special problem (the minister, the unbeliever, the suicidal, the old and young, the suffering and the ones who think they have it all and don't need God) that they come to the Sanctuary to talk about. Some come unwillingly or with an "agenda," but all encounter God at their level and with their own needs. Here is an excerpt from one of the stories that is so appropriate for us today, 40+ years after this book was written:

"Be still. Be very still. Be removed from all the busyness of life, if only for a little space, a little time. Be still enough not to hear all the world's pleasant voices, or even the ugly ones. Just be silent. 'Be still and know that I am God.' And in the knowing, know that all is well; and on some day you know not of, all will be explained. [note by CF: this reminded me of the saying that Dan and his friends coined about death: no more questions, only answers.] Be still and know that you can bear your life, that it has a distinct and unique meaning, belonging only to you; important more to God than even to yourself. And that to God, it is of more worth than the sun, than a billion suns. With that importance in his heart, he can walk fearless, joyful with a true joy, peaceful with a peace that no pleasure can give and no busy life can satisfy."

This week

Well, this is our toughest week of the year. The anniversary of our son, Dan's, passing. It seems harder this year than last year - not sure why. When you lose a child, you never really get over it. You just kind of go on, whether you want to or not. We cherished Dan - he was a wonderful person, and have great memories of him, but boy it's tough.

I hope you are all hanging in there through these tough times. There are a couple of websites you might be interested in if you are trying to save money, etc. Everyday Cheapskate is a great little daily newsletter with lots of tips for saving money and living simply. Debt Proof Living is another site that you may want to visit - the same person operates both of these resources. See link on the right side. You can subscribe to Everyday Cheapskate from the DPL site.

Please feel free to leave comments about our site. We are new to blogging, so it is definitely a learning process.