There is a Starbucks coffee shop on the boardwalk in Kemah, TX. If you’ve been there, you can picture it resting in the shadow of the mighty roller coaster. When there, I loved being the first one to grab my early morning Joe and take a slow – very slow – walk around the pier and pathways that encompassed the amusement rides. Sometimes, I’d meet my friend Sam Brown but mostly I would notice the rides. That early, they were quiet. No roar of the steel tracked kiddie cars. No hum of the carousel. No churning of the “Vominator” as I call it. Simply the few workers who were testing, cleaning and inspecting every hinge that would keep the riders safe.
Solitude is not a luxury but a necessity. God set up the cosmos for the ebb and flow of activity and quiet. Yet, we fight against the value of being still. We wield the sword of our schedules against the rejuvenating, calming and refreshing time of inspecting and fine-tuning our lives.
Why is that?
This morning, as is my custom, I woke up before my household, keuriged my coffee and spent time in prayer, calm and thought. I am ready for the riders of my day. I am set for the bustle of the crowds of my schedule. And all it takes is a few extra moments in the quiet of His presence.
Peace,
My new website:
Todd Stocker 
Hi Todd,
I did the exact same thing this morning. It is something I try to do each day. God has given me the wisdom ( and I finally now chose to accept that wisdom) to spend so special quiet time with Him. What a gift and blessing!
Thanks for sharing your wisdom!