Solitude. Do you?

Mar

Solitude. Do you?

Posted on March 25th, 2009 in Faith by Fred McKinnon

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(image credit from “Writing Pad” blog – Loneliness versus Solitude)

I’ve been reading about solitude lately. I’ve been hearing about it. It came up a bit at re:create. It came up in my recent readings of “Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership” by Ruth Haley Barton”Chasing Francis” by Ian Morgan Cron and “Godology” by Christian George. More importantly, I keep hearing it in my spirit.

“Come away with me”.

I’m a sanguine. I’m a social dude. Silence and solitude freak me out. Yet, I keep hearing the call. Even for a few hours. Maybe a day. Maybe a weekend.

Do you practice solitude?

If not, why not?
If so, how often, and how does it look?

http://jenkerrworship.blogspot.com/ Jen Kerr

Wow.. I am such a social person that sometimes solitude makes me a little crazy. It shoudn’t. My husband schedules it in to his life but I’ve been resistant..I think I should re-rethink this.
http://mikeymo1741.blogspot.com Mike

I never schedule it, per se. I have about forty minutes each way in the morning to myself in the car, and I find this to be a good personal worship time.

I do like solitude, but in small doses.
Daddy

Solitude – I love it. I schedule it daily. Most often my solitude times are spent outdoors, usually in the woods (at “Alpha” most of the time, and only you, Fred, know where that is). Sometimes I read; often just talk with my Father; sometimes I just listen; and frequently that listening and hearing comes as I simply observe the wonder of His creation. I can get more done in 30 minutes of solitude outside than in four hours at the office. Did I say I love it?
http://rmckinno1.wordpress.com Robert McKinnon

I am actually planning a trip on my motorcycle, traveling north on the Blue Ridge Parkway. ALONE.

I’ve done some re-considering to an extent. I’m not traveling as far, and I’m planning to hook up with several groups that are traveling together (for safety reasons), but what I am looking forward to more than anything else is the solitude.

I’ve been thinking of this and planning to do it for two years. Now it’s done! Doo Rah!
http://milestoneworship.com Jeremy Killian

Hey man, I know that this an off-topic and shameless plug for my site, but I know how you are an avid Twitter-er, and I thought you’d might like to take the Twitter the Gospel challenge over at Milestoneworship!

BTW. It is ironic that I would mention Twitter in a post about solitude, en?
http://www.aworshipfulheart.typepad.com Jan Owen

yes i practice it. the more i do, the more i need it. the more it changes me. Henri Nouwen has my fav quote on solitude: “Solitude became the furnace for my own transformation.” that was certainly true for me.

i’m looking for a day soon to go stay at a state park overnight by myself.

I’m actually jealous of Robert’s plans! the BRP! Maybe I should rent a convertible and steal his idea!
http://twitter.com/kalynm Kalyn

I think that some time of solitude is important to a personal relationship with Jesus. I like to call it the “secret place.” I like being alone, so I don’t think about scheduling it in my day (that probably also has to do with the fact that I’m 16.) Because you’re more of a social guy with a busy schedule, it’s probably a good idea to schedule it in.
Scott Underwood

I actually don’t do this like I should. I enjoy quietness and alone time but I don’t always use it to refocus. A couple of years ago I was going to a conference so I scheduled to go one night earlier. I decided to spend some time alone with God’s word focus on Psalm 139. It was great way to get out of my routine and away from distractions. I thoroughly enjoyed this time and now don’t know why I don’t schedule more times like this. Thanks for bringing it to mind.
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http://www.chrisfromcanada.com Chris from Canada

I’m expected to take a half-day away in prayer each month and one full day of retreat each season. It’s been a great blessing in my life.
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http://www.weightuponthelord.com Barry

I’d love to say that I spend a lot of time in solitude and quietness, but I’d be lying, and the last time I checked, lying is still considered a sin. I agree with the comments above about scheduling it in – I have a planning meeting on April 17th until 10:00am, and I think I’m going to take the rest of the day for a personal retreat – no Twitter, no blog, no Facebook, just me and the Word.

I have a good friend who has a passion for personal retreats, and she has written several articles on the subject – if you would like a copy, shoot me an email and I’ll send them to you.

http://www.fredmckinnon.com Fred McKinnon

Barry,
I hope you’ll come back and tell us how it went!

Tracie

I wanted to say solitude is hard for me because as a child silence was my punishment. I am a work in progress. But as I heal more from my past and move forward there are more moments of solitude. My favorite places are the spot in my apartment where I always go now to meet with God and the beach on Saturday morning.

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Solitude. Do you?

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