I used to be able to read a book, while my children were passively watching PBS and playing noisily next to me. Alas, that phase of life has passed.
Now, I much prefer a QUIET space when I sit down to read. What has changed?
I don’t have a definitive answer to this question but I think that it has something to do with the type of books that I am now reading. When you read a book on prayer or other spiritual disciplines, it stands to reason that you would want a more serene atmosphere than if you are reading the latest John Grisham novel.
I surmise that I will increasingly long for the QUIET as I strive to be more & more in the presence of Christ.
“…and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,” – 1 Thessalonians 4:11 NIV
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My Life in Our Father's World 
I’ve noticed that same phenomena! I once could read anywhere, noise and all. But now I can hardly concentrate if there is the faintest whisper in the next room. ha.
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The young blame this phenomenon (which I share) on age. I think though, that long practice in reading has me more attuned to whether I am getting anything out of it, vs. just turning the pages. We have more experience to test the claims of the author against. The biggest benefit of this more-extensive comparison is we are much less likely to be bamboozled by nice-sounding rhetoric that just doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. That is what I love about the Bible. No matter how much I study it, the truth of it stands starkly above all else that has been penned.
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Exactly!
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I agree with you. The type of book you read matters when it comes to having a quiet surrounding or not.
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when you read something you need to think your way through, quietness helps doesn’t it? 🙂 visiting from FMF37
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Yes it does 📚
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Yes I have found that quiet time with God is something constantly in need of defending. Since you are a reader you might consider a book on that subject by Gordon Macdonald titled Ordering Your Private World. It was a great blessing to me.
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That makes sense Barb. Studying the Word and intimacy with God sometimes calls for a quiet space.
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This is so true, Barb! I think it is the type of book we are reading and the desire to be still and quiet in His Presence.
~Lisa, FMF #20
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I would have to agree, Barb – it depends on the book. When reading my Bible or books on prayer, I need quiet. But otherwise, I can pretty much tune out all outside noise. It must be that we are better able to hear His still, quiet whisper in the quiet.
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Amen!
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Yes, I too need quiet to enjoy reading.😊👣
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My best reading times are late at night, Barb, so I understand!
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I’ve always read better with quiet. I might be able to get into a novel and lose track what’s going on around me, but for nonfiction I have to intentionally find a quiet time and place to get anything out of it.
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I like it quiet when I read as well. I know some people play music and read at the same time. I love music, but not when I am reading. I find a lot of other noise very distracting!
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