- The Art of Doing Nothing
- A Tiny Gift
- Part of Learning
- Spring Has Sprung
- Connected
- Time Swap
- When Less Really is More
- Find Your Joy
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A blog by Linda Soller.
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The Art of Doing Nothing
Linda Soller | Apr 14, 2025
I saw an article by a man who had retired, but it wasn’t what he expected. He had looked forward to having time when he could practice the art of doing nothing. So far, he had found it difficult, nearly impossible to do nothing. Funny, he thought, as a young man he had been able to do nothing quite successfully. For those who worked many years in the home or outside the home, suddenly being master of your own time can be disconcerting. Certainly, there must be something we need to do, that we can do?
I had anticipated this very problem before I had an empty nest, and again before I retired. Both times adding to my non work activities. It served me well. But to this date I struggle with guilt when I have nothing to do. Well, a little guilt. I had dreamed of sleeping in and having coffee while I read the paper or stared out the window at the birds. These appeared to be modest objectives, but alas they elude me.
As Christians, we should find it even more difficult to do nothing. Hmm, I fear the opposite is often true. We slide down the slippery slope of thinking God doesn’t need our help. Maybe help is the wrong word. He can accomplish whatever He wants without us, this is true. Here’s the catch. He wants us to help, not because He can’t get it done alone, but because He wants to do things with us. Go figure! In our family of believers, we need all gifts, talents, and hands on deck. The Head of our family is quite capable, but His wisdom shows itself in the giving of opportunities to serve. In return He loves it when we accept the challenge. The Art of Doing Nothing is not for everybody. There is just too much to be done, love to share, prayers to give, time to care, smiles to offer, kindness to exhibit, etc. So much to do and so little time. Instead of striving to do nothing maybe we need to pause and breath, so we are ready for the next opportunity. You never know what God will do with your actions.
Be strong in the Lord and be kind!
Linda
