"Be still and know that I am God." -Psalm 46:10a
I've been trying to let this one sink in lately. I think we could all agree that being still is not something that comes easy to many of us. Add to that being a Mom. We don't really see stillness as something that really applies to us, do we?
We're the ones usually wanting our little kiddos to be the ones doing the being still thing so we can do everyday things like: getting them dressed, changing their diapers (thanks my Squirmy Noah cakes), brushing their teeth, or cutting their hair (yikes! Yes I did...) and the list goes on.
Even if you're not a parent, there's a big list of "to do's" and "to wants" waiting for us. So, being still. How does that translate into our lives?
God isn't oblivious to our juggling act. He knows all too well that we can exhaust ourselves daily. He also knows we will need to be refreshed by His presence or we will miss out on the beauty and purpose in the big and the small, in the clean and the messy.
When He tells us to be still and know that He is God, He's presenting us with an invitation. It's an invitation to pause and place our attention on Him. He's not asking us to forget or neglect our responsibilities. On the contrary, He wants to empower us to do these things: in His strength, in His love, in His power, and by His grace. He needs to be that soundtrack that's always playing in the background of those moments and situations we will be facing throughout the day. THAT will set the tone for everything.
It will help us shift our focus from us to Him. We can place all our anxiety, all our concerns, all our good intentions, all our mess ups- everything, in His hands. We can trust Him with all of it. He wants us to take our burdens to Him. When we learn to release we will find our relief in Him. When we fill our hearts and our minds with Him there is little room for much else. That's when the stilling of our souls leads us to the knowing that He is in control and that He is bigger and greater than anything we may face.
Now, how we practice this can look different for each one of us. For me, it can range from closing my eyes in the early hours of the morning and just taking a few deep breaths and meditating on Him. Other times, it's hearing worship that postures my heart to be attentive to His leading. Other times, it's pondering on a verse that I want to marinate my mind in. Sometimes, it's a picture I see of something breathtaking that makes me so God-aware that I'm just drawn in. Sometimes, it's just seeing my boys and I'm overwhelmed with a gratitude that just spills over into another level of "God-You-Didn't-Have-To-But-You-Did!".
The point is, stopping ourselves from just going on cruise control, (even a Christian cruise control) and truly connecting with Him at a level where there is that release and relief taking place in our hearts. I write this not because I'm great at it, I still fail and succumb to my own tiredness or emotions, or can get put off by others "offness". But boy, do I long to make this more the default mode I go to. Every time.
Because He's the source of all things good and beautiful. When we tap into His well, we will never lack.
When our patience is dwindling, He provides His grace.
When we lack faith, His wonder and "awesomeness" will beckon us to trust Him.
When we fail to see the bigger picture, He opens our senses to perceive beyond our small little world.
Pausing to feed our soul with His goodness needs to become second nature to us. It's what will "still" us. It's what will keep us anchored. It's what will keep our trust secure in His goodness.
For me this season of raising a young family may feel very full and busy (and chaotic) at times, but I realize I just can't afford to do this in my own strength! I simply can't. And truth is I don't want to. I need to go to Him again and again knowing how to quiet my soul and let Him fill all those spaces in my heart and mind where only He belongs.
Then that refreshed me can pour out to others without loosing sight of my Source and I can chase little feet and kiss little grubby hands, welcome my husband home with a warm embrace (instead of dumping my frustrations of the day regarding our energetic boys) and have that inner peace that I am right where I need to be. He is in this with me. He is in this with you. Be Still. Know that He is God. He's got this. And then some.