By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
I’ve come to a place in life where I can freely admit my adult years have been spent on a quest to create sanctuary moments. I think most of us have an unsettling, restless, search for balance that has the potential to bring peace to our souls. Faith is the most important component to achieve lasting soul-satisfaction. With our reliance on God, we can establish reminders of holy contentment that can keep us rooted and balanced.
Creating a sanctuary isn’t about excellence, perfectionism, or performance. We need reminders in place for us to pause and inhale tranquility during stressful times. They are a jolt of divine love amidst the chaos.
What we choose to symbolize our God-filled spaces will depend on our personality, priorities, life experiences, responsibilities, and culture.
We can be betrayed by thinking the world offers all the necessary satisfaction for our troubled soul. Or we can embrace the truth that only a personal relationship with God provides shalom. The Hebrew word shalom means peace, well-being, in good health, and a greeting.
Where do you fit?
- For some, it’s the tie to God that binds yet frees.
- For others it’s the yoke that binds and restricts.
The first is light and truth. The second is burdensome and evil. The first brings the hope of eternal life, the second is an empty pursuit.
Look around you. What instantly shows you why you are united with God in a divine purpose?
- A career choice that glorifies God
- A Bible prominently displayed
- A cross
- A bouquet of fresh flowers
- Animals
- Art
- Books that entertain or teach
- Discipling
- Giving
- Hobbies
- Mentoring
- Nature
- Poetry
- Snapshots that show treasured memories
- Teaching
- The love of family
I encourage you to create sanctuary moments with those things that embrace your quest to recognize God’s constant presence. My sanctuary is reading, cooking, gardening, and the joy of writing.
What do you have in your home or workplace that restores your weary soul?
Comments 12
I’ve become more tuned in to Kingdom things as I’ve aged and grown in my faith. In the past four years, God has brought us through the fiercest storms of our 51-year marriage. Our sanctuary became delving deeply into His Word, praying together many times daily.
Praise and worship in our church sanctuary and in our home became a refuge. The music of Paul Wilbur feels like being in heaven.
Thankful for God’s provision.
Debra, thank you for sharing your private sanctuary. I agree, as we get older, the need for moments that reflect on God’s love and sovereignty become more and more critical.
I love this post! My sanctuary has always included a view of my back yard, indoor plants (especially flowering ones) and being surrounded by books, art, and photos. It all reminds me of the many blessings in my life, all given by the grace of God.
Kristine, thank you! Growing things, family photos, and special gifts from loved ones are all special sanctuary moments that keep us grounded in our faith.
I find the goodness of God all around me each day. His peace and calm are my constant companions, even in these crazy and uncertain times in which we live. Simply sitting on our deck, surrounded by the trees, brings joy.
Blessings, DiAnn!
Thank you, Martha. Like you, I believe sanctuary moments come from within. No matter the situation, asking to be filled with the goodness of God brings peace.
My list is much like yours, DiAnn. I love reading, gardening, and the satisfaction of writing ( and the lessons I learn from it.)
Thanks, Barbara. Reading, gardening, and writing tug on my heart to create like the great Character.
Thank you Diann
It is good to see you are still active in your writing I am sure that like me we miss Martha Rogers
You may remember me from IWA I note that they are not very active anymore.
I now live in Waller Texas and it is very difficult to go to one of their meetings.
I am still writing a bit and have a article that I may turn into a book would you be interested in reading it and commenting on it
Hi Stanley, thank you for checking in. So glad to hear you are still writing – and we all miss Martha.
Do you have a synopsis of your book that I could read? Right now I’m finishing up edits and pre-launching a book release for September.
AT 93 YEARS OLD I HAVE FINALLY FOUND MANY OF YOUR LIST AND IT MAKES ME LOOK AT LIFE WITH A HAPPY ATTITUDE.
Jean, that’s wonderful! So happy for you.