BE STILL

I, Annice, have had a very emotional past few weeks. Between friends emotionally hurting, family physically hurting, the joys of new life brought into the world and just every day life as a Mom, Wife, Daughter/Daughter-in-Law, and Homeschool teacher, I am exhausted. 

I was in my kitchen, the other day, doing dishes and in deep discussion on the phone with my husband on his way home from work. God is doing some mighty things between us, but we can discuss that another day. I hung up the phone, turned around and looked up above one doorway to our foyer and saw the "BE STILL and know I am God" wall vinyl I had Evan put there over a year ago. This was the first time that I actually stopped, looked and read it without quickly glancing away. Tears came to my eyes and I got it. God has been trying to get my attention for weeks, but I kept "hiding". Hiding behind laziness, laundry, dust, dishes piled up, crumbs on the floor, kids needing this and that, and who knows what else. That day, in my kitchen, I couldn't hide anymore. He was telling ME to BE STILL. As a Mother of four kiddos, that is not always possible, but I knew that I had to listen.

I like this quote and what it says about God wants us to Know that He effects everything in our lives. He allows certain things to happen, to get our attention, so that we just are STILL and LISTEN. Life happens! Life gets in the way sometimes. Most of the time, we get in the way of God and what He is doing in our lives.

God wanted me to be still that day, in my kitchen, before my husband got home, to look back at the past couple weeks and see where His hand was in all the details. Even the moments when I worried or was afraid, He was there.

In Psalm 62:5, David says, "My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him." 

Being silent and waiting...not so easy for us, is it? Especially in a culture that is all about going here, going there, doing this, doing that, seeing this person, seeing that person, Me, Me, Me....

In Job 6:24, Job says, "Teach me, and I will be silent; and show me how I have erred."

Wow...Job is actually asking God to show him where he made mistake. Ugh...I am not sure if I could ask God that, nor want to hear His answer. How about you?

I know that there are SO many things that I need to take inventory of and weed out of my lifestyle. But for now, I am going to be still and know that He is God! I am going to listen carefully for His audible voice or watch for little signs from Him. He will give them....just Be Still and Know!

Heavenly Father,

I come to you this evening with a still heart and listening for your voice. Thank you for loving me and keeping me safe even through my darkest times. Teach me the things that you desire for me, my marriage and my family. Put people into my life that I can minister to because of the story you have written for me thus far. Grab my attention when I least expect it. Discipline me as needed. It is my desire to be obedient to You and Your Word, to raise my children to follow hard after You and to see my marriage be an example of Your love for Your church. Cause me to be submissive to my husband and loving to my children. I love you!

It's in Your Son's mighty name that I pray, Amen.

---