Schloop!
Did you just hear it? That was the sound of the last bit of energy being sucked from my body. Too-early-mornings punctuated by spilled Cheerios and staff meetings with coffee that slides down the back of the mouth as thick and distasteful as oil have merged with post-Spring Break study marathons held in honor of my reluctant-to-participate pubescent children. And the time in between? Appointment-aligned and hard scheduled on three different calendars. The optimistic hope is that multiple postings of orthodontist appointments and sports events will keep me organized…on top of things…able to manage the time crunch.
Do you ever feel the same way? Are you running in circles just trying to keep up with life’s business when you realize you’ve lost sight of the most important things?
The verse God keeps whispering in my ear is, “Be still, and know that I am God.” My answer, “Lord, how can I be still? There is so much to do!”
But, life’s obligations will always encroach on quiet moments…peaceful moments…moments of reflection…moments of being in God’s presence. So, dear friend, wherever you are today—take a breath. Inhale the freshness of God’s spirit. Consider the One who created you for His glory.
Be still. Just be–if only for a moment.
I’ve definitely been there done that.
The Lord has me in a place now where I have a little more time to breathe, and I am so glad. I don’t think He ever intended for us to be superwomen. Sometimes we self-impose more on ourselves than we should by saying “yes” when we should say “no” or by not delegating or by not teaching our kids to do chores that would relieve pressure from ourselves. My husband and I decided to give the kids chores and not to get bent out of shape if they don’t do them as well as I would. I choose not to get upset when the child who vacuums doesn’t get in the corners like I would have. Spending time with God and serving Him in other areas has become more important to me. But even with more time on my hands, I have sometimes fallen into the trap of making something else more important than just being quiet before the Lord. It comes down to priorities; who or what am I seeking first?
I’ve written some blog posts on this subject. If you’re interested, you can read them at: https://plantedbylivingwater.wordpress.com/2015/08/07/be-still/
and
https://plantedbylivingwater.wordpress.com/2017/04/02/5-steps-to-return-to-your-first-love/
and
https://plantedbylivingwater.wordpress.com/2016/01/16/lord-you-know-me-intimately-i-want-to-know-you-more/
May the Lord bless you with many daily moments of stillness in His presence. 🙂
Visiting you from Faithfilled Friday linkup. I agree. It is so hard to be still with all of the expectations and obligations in life. Thank you for this encouraging reminder. I think it is something I should read everyday. I love it when you say, “inhale the freshness of God’s spirit.” May your soul be refreshed as you inhale the freshness of His spirit.
Hi Cheryl! I’m so glad you were encouraged. I need to take my own advice more often than I’d like to admit. Have a great weekend!
I have so been there! I was at a women’s event last week, and one of the speakers asked what it would take to step away and spend time with God and my first thought was that it was impossible. But God spoke to my heart and I realized I didn’t have to leave home to find a quiet place. (Full disclosure – my youngest child is eight, when my twins were younger, it was much harder)
Hi Heather–I agree that it does get easier as the children get older. Sometimes I have to so intentional about making God a priority. Have a great day!