Silent Stillness

I spent a few days in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin last week visiting my friend, Jamee. It’s a beautiful area of hills, valleys, and bluffs. At this time of year, the hills are alive with heavily laden apple trees. The roadside stands are impossible to pass up, as are the apple cider donuts. The valleys become the perfect front row seat to nature’s annual Fall color show. You could almost see the hillsides slowly turn color right before your eyes.

It truly is a slice of heaven.

The most amazing part of it all though, was the silent stillness that met us each morning and lingered all day. You don’t realize how much noise we are bombarded with each day until you step away. When you experience real stillness and quiet, it feels like you are one with the world around you. It’s like you enter a place of deep connection with something, or someone?

It truly is the sound of heaven.

On my return to reality yesterday I realized, more than ever, the importance of finding a place of silent stillness and visiting it often. A place to become one with God. A place to let God take the lead. A place to rest in the connection that the quiet provides.

We don’t all have access to the quiet of the Driftless Area, but just maybe we could recreate that silent stillness at Firstfruits. Our kick-off for the new season is coming up this week. Kick-offs usually connote celebration and lots of activity, but at Firstfruits our kick-off comes in the form of prayer first with a time for silent stillness, followed by a bit of fun. A heavenly combination.

I hope you will join us. Feel free to just drift in.

Joan