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A Slice of Simplicity
Escaping from inner thoughts, escaping from valuable homework time, I let space enter for the sound of silence. As the four of us–me, Mike, Professor Terry Linhart, and his wife– gathered around a blazing bonfire, I was rejuvenated by the Spirit. There was something about the silence that was golden, beautiful,loud. It was a place where no one could reach me, but where I could reach my inner desires. It was where I found love from within myself. It was there I discovered that when we can feel the silence, we know that we are not alone. We know that God is with us, God is given us a reprieve, a chance to connect with Him.
This past week I was invited over to Professor Terry Linhart’s home for dinner, games, and a bonfire. Actually, two of his classes were invited, but only a small crowd attended. It was a blessing in disguise, however, that there were so few people because it allotted more room for me to embrace the simple life. Sometimes we get so busy, too busy, with noise all around us and we can’t sit still. But something about that night was different. I dropped everything I had/needed to do and said, “God this night is Yours. Do what you will.” And then He provided me with the perfect opportunity to be still, to tune into the silence. Before that, He even gave me the opportunity to laugh, to ease my mind, and to “commune” with good friends while playing cards and munching on ‘pigs in a blanket’. Yet, it was when the crowd split, and I found myself underneath the Fall sky, filled with glowing stars, next to a warm fire and listening respectfully to the natural world around me that God spoke to my heart. He reminded me in that moment that I wasn’t alone, that He was near.
And as I experienced a much needed moment of simplicity, I became incredibly grateful for professors like Terry and the many more on campus that give students an opportunity to “get away”–that care enough about their students that they open up their homes, cook a fresh meal, and just do life together. No grades. No expectations. No strings attached. Just a chance to live simply, away from the chaos of school, and close to the community of Christ.
