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!