Quiet Day

Tomorrow I will engage in one of the most important and most enjoyable aspects of my ministry - a quiet day. For me, my quiet days are something that I hadn't realized the importance of until I experienced the benefits. I now see taking quiet days as essential for my ministry. Stopping and taking time to just 'be' in the presence of God centres me and grounds me. It reminds me of who I am and whose I am. My call to ministry is often renewed and refreshed during these times. 

When I tell people I am having a quiet day, I often get asked what that means. I guess it is different for different people. I need to get away from my home base. At home it is too easy to get distracted by a load of washing that needs to be put on or a bit of cleaning that will only take a few moments. I am privileged to be joining some of my colleagues tomorrow at the home of a retired minister who will give us some input to begin the day. 

I take my journal with me and may spend some time writing and reflecting. I may go for a walk, or I may just sit in silence for a good part of the day. I also take my mandala journal with me and may feel inspired to draw when words just don't do justice. There is never an agenda for my quiet days. I don't go with a problem to try and sort out. The whole idea is to enjoy spending a day with God. It is a bit like planning to spend the day with a close friend with no need to have it all worked out before you go. God and I will both show up and we will see what happens. I'll let you know what we get up to!!