"Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10
In my mind, this verse brings up images of quiet time in the morning. My bible, a candle, quiet uninterrupted time to "be still" and listen to what God has to say to me. My mind wouldn't be worried about how much I have to do or what's on my list. I would be able to completely focus on being still.
But reality is a busy life, two small kids, no structured schedule and the fact that I just can't sit uninterrupted for more than 10 seconds. And if I can't give it my all, I'm not even going to try. I don't want to disappoint myself.
Sunday morning we were late. I had been at church until 12:32am that morning setting up for Sunday School. I had packed the kids a breakfast and they were going to have to eat at church. We had toys and I had a giant box of stuff. The day was busy. After church we had a baptism dinner and then 20+ people were coming to the house for our annual council supper. I had 2 soups to make, 2 more to finish up, dessert, house cleaning, and general chaos to work through. I was crazy. I got the boys in the car and ran back in to get the forgotten keys. I pushed the button for the garage door and put the car in gear. I looked up before I backed out and saw the garage door was stuck. This happens every once in a while. So I took a breath, thanked God I looked before I backed out and pushed the button. The door went down, I took another breath and pushed the button again. As the door went up, I did what I should have done all morning, I prayed. I finally prayed for the day. I prayed for Sunday School, the boys behavior in church, time to get everything done, God's present in our day. It took me less time to pray than it did for the door to go back up.
Did you see it? That moment of stillness when God spoke 2 words to me. "CALM DOWN". That was all that I needed to hear. In that moment when I took a deep breath and was still, God was able to speak to me. Calm down, Lindy, we're going to make it.
It finally dawned on me. I don't need hours, God wants them if I can give them, but all I need is a moment. A breath. A little pause where I can hear the One who calls me beloved saying "Calm down".
We were late again (do you see a theme?). Our MOPS steering team was down to about half due to sickness. I got a call a few minutes before I left that the craft person was sick and they were hoping I could lead the craft. I was stressed to the max. Leave on time, get my list, get the boys, get the craft supplies, have the semester dues ready to be paid, and make sure I make connections and build relationships with the ladies at MOPS. Ready, set, go! Tuesdays are big days for me even if everything goes right. And then I saw it. For some reason the lights were blinking red at the main intersection in town. Each side of the road had 5 lanes and I was in a hurry. I didn't have time to navigate a 4 way stop with what seemed like a million cars. I stopped and took a deep breath. I prayed and then it was my turn.
Did you see it again? My sill moment. I didn't even realize I did it. In that moment and breath I heard the voice saying "I've got this". My job was to get there safely and we would get it done.
My stillness right now is not hours spent in the Word, it's 5 minutes.
It's the breath I take before I discipline my kids where I hear "Be kind", "Be an example".
It's the breath I take before I answer the phone "Show love".
It's the moment when I stop and hear a voice saying "One thing at a time, I've got the rest".
That's stillness to me. That one moment when I am able to let God speak to me as a Beloved Child!
Linking up with the talented and lovely Jennifer at
I can't tell you how excited I am that you linked up. Yay!
ReplyDeleteThis story will stick with me. I needed to hear it. Sometimes, I run out of time, and get in a hurry, and your story reminds me that even if I don't do quiet time "right," I can still talk to God, because He is always with me. And that is always "right."
Thanks Lindy. I needed this today.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the truth? I think that verse was written for Moms especially! I used to frustrate myself trying to do extensive Bible reading in my devotions, but I couldn't do it without the interruptions that happen with little ones! I know that even one verse that I can memorize and think through during the day is really more helpful for me at this phase in my life than a plan to read the Bible through twice in a year! I have to focus on quality and not quantity for now.
ReplyDeleteAwesome!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, Lindy, your life sounds like mine! I don't have the small kids but the busy aspect of trying to orchestrate all the details to make it work sounds so like me. I too would love to spend a lot of time with God in a comfy quiet place with candles burning, but it's great we can hear from Him driving down the road!
ReplyDeleteGod bless you!
Hello Lindy,
ReplyDeleteYou write about your life so beautifully. It is impressing...:)
What is it about Tuesdays? In every stage of our life they are the craziest.
ReplyDeleteOver the years this Bible verse has come to mean so very much to me. It is in exactly the garage door type experience when I feel Him the most. When there is no choice but to be still.
Oh I am just so thankful for those moments when He speaks. How desperately I need those reminders.
ReplyDeleteYes Tuesdays are insane in my house too!
ReplyDeleteAlso I wrote a similar post about finding God in the red lights because whenever I was stressed to. the. max. we would always run late and hit every single red light. Forcing me to slow down. I love how if we won't find the time to stop and breathe he creates it for us.
Yes, Lindy, yes. In this season of life, sometimes those moments we give to Him are what He wants. Quietness doesn't always happen externally, but if we can quiet the inside, well, that's something. If only for a moment.
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time giving God my moments because I, too, frequently give up if I'm not giving a huge portion. You've reminded me with this that I can be interacting with Him in the smallest ways, and He'll respond with what I need -- the knowledge and peace that He is in control. Thanks for sharing this; I'll think of it often in the coming days.
ReplyDeleteHe does quiet the storm when we keep our eyes stayed on Him, does He not?
ReplyDeleteOh, one of my favorite verses! I looked up the Hebrew definition for "Be Still" a while back and was surprised it meant "To let go, to release". A deep breath is a perfect way to start the process of releasing your anxiety -- let go of today's woes.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post -- so happy I stopped by via Barbie's Fresh Brewed Sundays. thank you!!!
blessings,
Nikki
I am visiting from Barbie's and I so enjoyed your post. What a truth...God wants us to calm down and to "Be Still"...and to give our anxieties over to Him. I was stressed on Friday and I had to calm down and give my worries over to the Lord. He brought me peace as I communed with Him, and I wrote a poem. He Is My Peace. Come for a visit if you can. (:>)
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed day!
Linda @ Truthful Tidbits
I am learning that God speaks to me in moments, in between taking care of the kids, working, laundry, etc. Those are the moments He's called me to be still, to breathe Him in! Thank you so much for linking up today!
ReplyDelete