Be Still

 

“Just sit down”!  Words my husband, my children, and my coworkers have echoed throughout the years.  I have challenges in a variety of areas and ‘sitting and being’ is certainly one of them.  Being the compulsive list maker that I am, there is always something that needs to be done, something that deserves my attention.  Sitting and being is a waste of time – or is it?

This Bible verse has been a favorite of mine and is one that I refer to often.  It is a wonderful reminder that being still has such incredible benefits for us, physically, mentally, but more so, for our souls.  The last few weeks have been filled with things to do.  Yet, I have built time into my time to ‘be still,’ and the rewards have been incredible.

My favorite time of day has always been the morning and my favorite place to enjoy it has been our deck.  I go with my cup of coffee and plan my day.  Lately, instead of planning the day, I sit, watch, and ‘be still.’  The rewards?

·       Abundance:  Looking at the wonderful world God provides to us, filled with the simplest of birds, majestic rivers, weather through the seasons; it is hard not to thank Him for the abundance He gives.

·       Reflection: Remembering all the goodness God shared that brought our family together, for whatever reasons, to pour out the love God graced our family with to others.

·       Peace: Stillness brings peace to my soul.  My head may stir with ‘things to do,’ but for a moment my soul is at peace.  Breathing in God’s richness provides for moments of peace.

By ‘being still,’ I can then move forward with the purpose God gave to me to give to others.  When I am still, I can see and feel the richness of God’s love, His mercies, and His grace.  I can move into a daily devotion with my focus on the One who deeply deserves my attention.  Being still also moves me to act, to pour out the abundance of love to those around me, to provide moments of reflection to others, and to bring peace to family and friends can only happen if I start from that place myself.

Take a moment, my friends, to be still.  Open your eyes to see the world around you and close your eyes in reflection.  Thank God for all of it and move through your day – I guarantee it will enrich each moment.

Heavenly Father, help us to be still, to sink in moments where we can focus our attentions on all that is within our grasp and bring forth feelings of abundance, reflection, and peace.  Amen!

Ups and Downs

 

Thank you all for your patience during the past few weeks.  For those of you who may not know, I have not written because of many planned and unplanned circumstances.  As I was preparing for my retirement by transitioning activities to my successor, my mom became ill.  After only a few short days, Mommy went to be with Jesus in heaven.  These past few weeks have been filled with many highs and lows.  There were times when we thought Mom was going to get better, and then the realization that this was not going to occur.  In between was we celebrated our 20^th wedding anniversary, my daughter and grandson’s birthdays, my birthday, and my retirement.  The happy events were certainly overshadowed with a sense of sadness.  It has been an emotional roller coaster.

I always learned so much from Mom and her approach to everything in life.  Even in dying, she continued to teach me.  She always tried to see the good in situations, and even as she knew her time on this earth was limited, her sole focus was on seeing Jesus.  In fact, on the day before she passed, the doctors did a procedure where she was not guaranteed to come back to us.  We all said our goodbyes.  She actually survived that procedure.  When I went to see her, I said, “Mom – you’re still with us.”  Of which she rolled her eyes and said, “You’ve got to be kidding.”  The woman was focused!!  The next day, she met Jesus, and I am certain she cried tears of joy!

As I walked back through the events of these last couple of weeks, the verses for today could not represent my feelings any better.  There have been times to weep and times to laugh.  There have been times to mourn and times to dance.  The Dear Lord graced us in each moment.  He gave us what we needed in each conversation, in each memory, in each moment of silence.  God gave us the hope that Mom always gave us – the good in all situations.  That is just like God, isn’t it?  To give us exactly what we need when we need it, not a moment sooner or later.  My friends, God is always there for us, no matter what the circumstances, no matter how hard our walk on this earth is.

So, I thank you all, again, for your patience during my absence these last few weeks.  May we sit back for a few moments and revel in the glory that is our God – the giver of times.  If you have a chance, please read Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8.  I am certain you will find a ‘time’ that is speaking just to you!

Dearest Lord, thank you for always providing us with what we need whatever ‘time’ we may be in.  You give us the hope and direction that speaks to our hearts.  In thanksgiving to you, Amen!