So today, 11/19/11 Saturday, having recovered from Soccer Season (my busiest time of year, this year compounded by grieving for the loss of my grandmother and trying to lead a small church plant) we finally get to enjoy a day at home. Nothing is planned; Ron has to work, so my agenda includes cooking breakfast for the kids and doing dishes! Of course because of my over achiever-itis I start adding to my list, wash the sheets, finish the laundry, clean the hardwood floors, pay bills, workout, and quickly I see my free day fading away. After a java break-my head clears a bit and I opt to take the kids to the park-workout and kids play-it’s a win-win!! It’s one of those weird November days in Ohio where it’s mostly cloudy but the sun peeks in and out of the clouds, the breeze is steady but the temp is nearly 60. Rock on-I can soak up a few stray rays and exercise!! The kids zip away on their scooters and I clumsily follow in a slow jog/walk/jog.
Half a mile in, I am totally in my head creating a grocery list and rummaging thru the never-ending to-do items that I track in my head on a daily basis. Buy batteries for the fire alarm, pick up the kids prescription, call Papa, what am I gonna make for dinner, when’s that report due at work…and so goes the list. The landscape catches my eye and I see the pumpkin water tower in the distance and ask God to pour out his spirit on our town in a mighty way. Then my “should” switch activates and I think that I should use this time to pray instead of adding to my ever growing list.
Right then God halts my thoughts and whispers “Be Still and Know that I am God”! This is a conversation God and I have had before! He quickly reminds me that my list can wait; the constant busy-ness in my brain is keeping me from enjoying this moment he specifically brought me here to enjoy! The clouds thin and sunlight streams down on the park, the breeze blows against my cheeks and I hear my kids giggling in the distance! What a blessing and what a dummy I am! I nearly missed this-I would have mindlessly listed this moment away-Thank you Lord for your enormous patience with me, for your gracious reminding that you alone have things under control, that you can handle the bills, you’ll supply the strength to get the housework done, that you will lead our work at the church and that the final outcome doesn’t depend on whether I checked that item off my list!
I finish my 2.4 miles (‘cause 2 miles isn’t enough) and join the kids on the playground. Laughter and fresh air are always a good combination. We retreat to the truck as raindrops start to fall-perfect timing. I can’t help thinking that’s what today was totally about, in all my efforts to keep track of everything in my world, I so easily lose track of the most important fact-God’s got my back! He’s directing my path and in his perfect timing he will work out all the tiny details!
God, help me to “BE STILL” more often and reflect on the blessings you so lovingly place in my life everyday!
“Be still and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10
(niv)
