Be Still....

"Be still, and know that I am God..." 
                             -Psalm 46:10

What powerful words!  Be still....be still.  Wow.  Does anyone really take the time to "be still" anymore?  In this world of electronic devices, it seems like we are always on our cell phones, tablets, computers.  If we aren't doing that, we're watching TV or streaming Netflix or Hulu.  I could go on and on.  We're so busy rushing here and there, do we even know what it means anymore...to "be still"?

I've been practicing being still for a few moments over the past couple of days.  Wow.  At first it was slightly uncomfortable.  I kept having this nagging feeling that I ought to be doing something....reading or writing or doing laundry or calling someone to check how they're doing.  I had to consciously give myself permission to be still before I could actually do it.

But when I did....wow.  It was NICE.  I sat on my deck, resisting the urge to check my phone or read a book.  I just sat there,  closed my eyes and felt the cool morning breeze gently wash over me.  I then opened my eyes and watched the flowers and leaves of my hanging basket swaying.  I listened to the birds singing and the slight hum of traffic going down the street.  Every time an "ought to" or "should be" thought came into my mind, I pushed it away.  Every time I started thinking about plans for later on, I pushed those thoughts away.

I did start to think about the second part of the verse.  "Be still, and know that I am God."    What was God trying to say exactly?   I KNOW He is God, after all.  Then I thought some more, and realized something.  My head knows He is God, but I do not live like I think He is God.  If I did, I would not feel guilty about taking a few moments to "be still".  Somewhere, I believe we have it in our minds that the world is going to stop somehow if we don't do everything we have on our to do list.   In other words, we pretend to be God rather than have faith in God.  We believe God is in control, but feel like we have to do it all "just in case".

But God says, "Be still, and know that I am God."  Not just "be still".  He could have stopped with those two powerful words.  But He didn't.  He wasn't finished with His thought.  Be still...AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD. 

In the stillness is where we find God.  We can hear His voice speaking to us in ways we will not hear if our minds are bombarded with the other noises that surround us.   I felt God with me in a way I haven't felt in a long time during these moments of stillness.  Now, I look forward to these moments.  They recharge me and help me get ready to face the day.  I now appreciate the stillness, and in that stillness....I always find God is with me.

Selflessness in Harvey's Aftermath

This week I have been very encouraged by the selflessness of people as they have gone out of their way to help the survivors of Hurricane Harvey, one of the worst natural disaster in US history.  They are now calling it a 1000 year storm.

Amidst such utter devastation, volunteers have rushed to help those in need...risking their own lives for the lives of people they do not even know.  This is true compassion.  This is love.

As strange as it may sound, it has been a nice respite from the regular news.  I'm not talking about the suffering and devastation part.  I'm talking about the humanitarian part.  In watching the news each day, it is easy to become cynical and to wonder if there is any humanity left in a world that seems to be divided into Democrats and Republicans, Trumpers and Never-Trumpers, Conservatives and Liberals...not to mention all of the  various hate groups who seem to be protesting louder than ever.

I have enjoyed hearing the stories of rescue in the middle of fear and heartbreak, and hope in the middle of devastation.  I am so sick of the other news that dominates the airwaves.  I find myself watching more shows that are kinder and gentler...like the Andy Griffith Show.  I find myself reading more books.

I find myself wondering why it takes a disaster to make us feel human again...to make us feel loving again.  

New Beginnings

It is a new year, and I can't help but think of new beginnings.  2016 is gone.  2017 is here and it is time to think about making positive changes.  I stopped calling them resolutions a few years ago because there is a pretty good chance that I won't fulfill all of my resolutions.  But that doesn't mean I won't make strides in the direction I want to go.

I may not write a book this year, but I may get some research done or do some good character development. 

I may not lose 50 pounds, but I may start eating more veggies and drinking more water.

I may not get completely out of debt, but I can stop going into debt.

I can be kinder and more generous with my time and money.

I can be wiser in the choices that I make.

I can strive to develop a closer relationship with my Maker.


I can work on being the best me that I can be.

New beginnings is all about the journey...not about the destination.  Moving forward in a positive direction.  This is what it is all about.

Happy New Year!