Solitude

I am sitting here in a dark hotel room in Orange Beach Alabama. To say that we all needed this vacation would be an understatement! But as usual, I am up early while the family continues to sleep. I am sitting here in the quiet darkness of this room pondering the solitude.
The window air conditioner set to a temperature of eternal deep freeze, sounds like a 1954 steam locomotive laboring uphill. I suppose producing air temperatures in the Sub- Siberian range while in the hot humid environment of the gulf can be quite difficult on the inner workings of an air conditioner!
Peering out of my window I can see the gentle waters of the gulf caressing the white sands of the beach as the sun makes it predictable yet dependable rise above the horizon slowly displacing the darkness with its warm and welcome peace. It is at times like this that I feel the solitude.
I have never felt more alive, and yet more alone that I do right now. Do not get me wrong, I am not lonely, just alone. Across the room my beautiful wife of 26 years is sleeping blissfully. Located somewhere in the middle of this dark room, my 9 yr. old daughter and my 17 yr. old daughter share a bed and have no doubt fought all night for utter control and domination of such a small piece of temporary rented real estate. And I sit here, at peace.
The economy is uncertain and I am at peace. Iran is defying the sanctions of the world and developing nuclear material and I am at peace. The sanctity of marriage as we have known it was struck a serious blow this week and I am at peace. Somewhere in the world, someone else is sitting in darkness… pondering the value of life… and yet I sit here in peace.
Where does such peace come from? It is not from a reasoned intellect or superior understanding of world events. It does not come from medicated sedation or drug induced mellowness. No, my peace comes from a higher source of being.
Psalms 46:10 says “be still and know that I am God…”. To be still in today’s fast paced, over scheduled, media rich society can be difficult. It is next to impossible to find a quiet place anymore. And yet, as I sit here in solitude, alone, and yet not alone and I feel God close.
Take time today to hear from God. Turn off the radio. Instead of the mindless time in front of the tv, sit on the porch and hear, and know God.