We were talking this morning at breakfast about how busy this Lent has been for some of us.  What happened to Lent being a “retreat”?  For many of us it’s been a time of providing more spiritual help for others–Sr. Ann has been out of town a lot doing retreats, I’ve had some unexpected spiritual direction meetings, etc.  Nonetheless, it is so important to guard our times of personal prayer–especially during this season.  Here’s a word about this from Amy Carmichael, commenting on Ps 28.9:

Ps 28.9: Save . . . bless . . . feed . . .  lift up . . .

What an inclusive prayer!  nothing is left out.  The word that speaks to me specially is “feed”.
I do not think there is anything from the beginning of our Christian life to the end, that is so keenly attacked as our quiet with God, for it is in quietness that we are fed.  Sometimes it is not possible to get long uninterrupted quiet, but even if it be only ten minutes, “hem it in with quietness.”  Enclose it in quietness; do not spend the time in thinking how little time you have.  Be quiet.  If you are interrupted, as soon as the interruption ceases, sink back into quietness again without fuss or worry of spirit.  Those who know this secret and practise it, are lifted up.  They go out from that time with their Lord, be it long or short, so refreshed, so peaceful, that wherever they go they unconsciously say to others, who are perhaps cast down and weary, There is a lifting up.