Women Connect: Solitude — Kari Stewart

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. >Psalm 62:5 (English Standard Version)

…but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. >Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)

Do you sometimes long for solitude? To get away…just you and Jesus. To have time to be still long enough to hear HIS voice. To meditate upon HIS Word. To drink in HIS presence. When I have those times my thought is always, 'Why don’t I do this more often?!'

Now don’t get me wrong…I know Jesus will meet us and is with us wherever we are. At the kitchen sink, folding clothes, commuting to work, in between meetings and sibling rivalry…but, deep inside don’t you often long for more of HIS presence?!

Last week I read a post from a friend of ours, Kari Stewart. I love how she prioritizes times of solitude. Plus, she is such a bubbly “go-getter”…I want you to know her too.

Wes + I met Kari several years ago in Fort Collins, Colorado, where she serves as the Missions Pastor at Timberline Church. When you meet Kari you know you are in the presence of a woman who loves Jesus and all the rest of us with her whole heart. She just radiates HIS love.

Kari grew up living throughout the Midwest, as her parents pastored several churches in that region. She and her husband Jeff have been married for 42 years, meeting as high school seniors and marrying just ten days after graduation.

A year later they welcomed a son. Then, over the next 23 years, God grew their family through the birth of two daughters and the adoption of six children from around the world...Hong Kong, South Korea, China, Haiti, Florida and Tennessee. Their NINE children are now all adults, and they have nine grandchildren.

I enjoyed connecting with Kari regarding the discipline of solitude. She shared that as God started her on the journey of being disciplined in the disciplines, she found solitude to be so hard.

In Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, Ruth Haley Barton states that leaders can find solitude difficult because they are addicted to ‘leadership’. In reading this, Kari was immediately convicted and knew that she needed to intentionally set aside time for solitude every month. At the beginning of each year, she now schedules monthly times of solitude in her calendar and must often fight hard to keep that time. Her solitude places vary, but she shares that no matter where she has them, she doesn’t want to leave this treasured time. God meets her there.

I asked Kari to share advice with young moms who crave times of solitude but are too tired to read, journal or meditate when the fleeting alone times come.

“This is the reality of motherhood. The littles God has given you to parent are gifts. In years to come you may have time for extended solitude, but in these moments when you can barely find a moment to yourself, know that God sees you and loves you."

Kari highlights two things that gave her space when her kids were little:

I wrote scripture on notecards and put them on the bathroom mirror, so that I could read them aloud even as I passed through.

At 2 pm I had daily phone calls with my husband to talk about what was coming up that evening and how we might collectively respond to a struggling child (instead of each responding in the moment). We then ended by praying together. Even brief conversations eluded us at other busy times, and we were too tired after the kids went to bed...so our 2 pm phone calls are treasured memories for both of us.

Kari's best advice for some who might be “newbies” in scheduling times of solitude:

“Don’t wait for time to slow down – schedule your solitude times in advance and then fight to keep the space. Determine in advance where you will go and what you will take with you. I take my Bible, two books that I read only during my times of solitude, my journal, highlighter markers and pens, iced tea, and snacks."

When asked how our “women connect” community can pray for her, Kari responded, “Please pray that I don’t get in such a rush to reach a project’s finish line that I miss the connects God has for me along the way.”

And Kari's final word of encouragement, “You, dear friend, are treasured by God. He cares about you and your family. He sees the weight that you are carrying and is waiting for you to entrust it to Him.”

I am thankful that everywhere Wes & I have lived there has always been a room or nearby spot to retreat for (even brief) solitude. When our twins were under two, it included a 4x8 deck off our second-floor apartment. With some geraniums and a small round table and chair - I could occasionally step outside while the twins napped to have a moment to reflect and seek HIS presence.

We now live in the Santa Cruz Mountains - surrounded by beauty. This picture was taken earlier this week at one of my favorite local spots to seek Jesus…

PRAYER MOUNTAIN

997 Lockhart Gulch Road - Scotts Valley, CA 95066 - (831) 335-5635

If you’re interested in staying longer than a day, there are small, unfurnished A-frame cabins, with nearby bathrooms/showers. For a Prayer Mountain donation of any amount - you can bring your blowup mattress, cot and/or sleeping bag (and towels) to this gorgeous setting surrounded by redwoods. With a hungry heart you too can encounter our Heavenly Father in a fresh way. (Reservations by phone are necessary.)

Is there a family member, friend, neighbor, co-worker who might not know Jesus as their Savior? YOU might be the one God asks to share His love with them. Maybe during your quiet time you could ask Jesus to show you someone needing His saving grace, for whom you could be more diligent in praying. Wouldn’t it be an honor if each of us could win one for HIM in 2024?!

judy popineau wick