Don and I dressed nicely, business casual, anticipating getting together with our new tenants for the first time, as well as meeting soon-to-be neighbors at a community gathering. After greeting our tenants and taking the measure-ments we needed for our plans to upgrade the house before moving in later this year, we wound down the hill to the clubhouse, where we enjoyed a delicious meal overlooking the golf course, flowers, and the sway of the wind in the willows.

We wanted to be a bit early for the meeting to discuss external paint colors for the homes in our Village, so drove up to the Forest Community Center and parked the car. We wandered into the room, about two minutes early, to see 25-30 people there. “Good turnout,” I thought.

It seemed everyone was looking at us. I lip-read as one woman mouthed “Does anyone know them?” As we walked into the second row to take our seats, confident we were in the right place, a woman approached. “May I help you?”

“We own the home on Caledonia and are here for the paint color meeting.”

“I think you’re in the wrong place. This is the Village Voices.”

I pulled out the announcement and reread it … the meeting we wanted was the following night, Thursday. Oh boy! But the people were welcoming. A large man smiled, reaching out his hand: “I’m Ed. Stay and sing with us.” Another said “Stay and make a joyful noise.”

We left, chuckling at our mistake but also warmed by the welcomes expressed to us by those in the community chorus.

Do you sometimes feel there’s just too much on your plate? Too many appointments to remember? Between doctors’ appointments, physical therapy, and other commitments, I obviously wasn’t keeping it all straight.

Our cousins, Edith and Brian Peters, are visiting from near Winnipeg, Canada. Two nights ago Edie sat at our piano and began to play. We’d had a full day. Don, Brian and I sat in the living room, quiet, listening to the sweet music emanating from the piano under the skill of Edie’s fingers. And I remembered the scripture that says “In quietness and confidence is your strength.”

Quietness …

• allows me to regroup,
• to recharge,
• to sort out the important from the mundane,
• to let some things go.

It increases my coping resources for the challenges that face me daily.

And confidence in my God …

• who never sleeps,
• who is always present,
• who has promised never to leave nor forsake me,

gives me strength that is not dependent on my own limited resources.

“Keep me still, Lord, before you; help me rest in Your presence, to hear your still, small voice, to follow your lead, to trust you one step at a time and let the chaos slip away as I move, cocooned in Your Holy Spirit.”

I wish for you–and for me–a week of quiet, confident strength.