A Quiet Little Corner

We've been in this house for slightly over 6 months. It has been a delight in so many ways, but I've had trouble figuring out where to settle for my daily quiet time with the Lord. 

Beloved and I are sharing a study (what others might refer to as an office), a new experience for both of us. As it turns out,  even though we each have a large desk in that room, he spends much more time there than I do. It's upstairs, which is inconvenient for me when I need to keep an eye on a boiling pot in the kitchen, or respond to the beeping washing machine, or grab clothes out of the dryer (all on the main floor). 

I've been using a comfy Queen Anne-style chair in the main floor master bedroom, but it did not lend itself well to my need for colored pens, the occasional use of a ruler, and space for both my study books and the laptop computer for research.

Christmas included several gift books, two of which stress the importance and benefits of setting up a quiet place for time alone with God. They weren't telling me anything I didn't already know in that department, but as a result, I prayed specifically for just that perfect spot, hoping for better solutions than what I currently had.

my little corner

As the Christmas tree in the family room came down, the idea came to move the Queen Anne chair to the tree's former location, and to set up a card table in the master bedroom. It's tucked into a corner blocking a door we never use but where there is soft lighting and most sounds are pleasantly muffled. The first time I sat there to study and pray, I knew my prayer had been answered.

the grill on the back porch blocks the door to the bedroom

The card table was serving me well but I wanted something more attractive (and not pricey). Since I am a short person (5 foot 1 inch), I have to be particular about table and desk height. As I've told Denise for years, "What height I have is in my legs," which means when I sit, I'm really short.

We did some shopping, including on-line, for a desk or table that was 27 inches high (the height of the card table). Most are 29 inches and higher, which puts a strain on my muscles and posture. I know. I've fought this battle all of my adult life. None of the student or kids' furniture was right, either.

Beloved has been building sturdy tables for years for us and also for family. He built my favorite sewing table, which is ergonomically correct for my size.  So I asked him to build me a table/desk for my study corner. 

my new table/desk

I would show you the finished product, but the freezing rain and severely cold temperatures we've had prevented him from being able to set the table out on the driveway to sand it, let alone apply the stain.

This afternoon the sun is filtering through the curtain so beautifully that I wanted to bring in my mug of tea and spend a few minutes sharing this delight with you. 

my quiet time corner

I am thrilled to have this place of solitude tucked into a peaceful corner. My wonderful, private forest is right outside the window. The sun streams through the tall pines, and when the wind blows, I love to watch the tops of the trees as they gently sway back and forth.

a sturdy box holds my books and tissues very neatly

In the quiet of this place I can read, think, pray, journal ... and ponder.  I can even doodle with colored pencils in the margins of last week's sermon notes as I consider what the personal applications might mean for me. 

And meditate. I can turn off the lamp, close the computer, sit back in my chair, and take in slow, easy breaths of air, then letting them out as little prayers. 

Do you have a quiet place like this? Would you like to describe it for us in the comments below?