Sunday, September 04, 2011
Be still
It's hard to be still. And if you're a mom of little ones, you see the difficulty of this task for your own munchkins all day long. It's challenging to count the number of times you have to tell a jumpy kid to sit down at the dinner table instead of standing up next to her chair. Most kids wonder why they have to rest at all. They implore, "Just one more video? Just five more minutes of Wii? Just ten more minutes out on the trampoline? PLEASE!!!" The truth is, they're watching us all day long, but we don't really slow down either.
Whether you're religious or not, you'll love this Bible verse I'm about to quote. It comes from a song from the middle of the Bible. And it says, "Be still, and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10). This verse is particularly effective at telling us three things:
First it requires us to stop moving. We are to become motionless. And this is something that few of us actually do until we're flat on our beds snoring. We're just not comfortable slowing down. We'd rather race until our hearts pop and our heads explode. Sure we can take on more hours at work. Go ahead and toss in one more extracurricular for my kid since it'll make him smarter. Of course you can hand me one more volunteer activity at the school; I've got tons of free time. But then, when do you get to catch up?
Second, the verse reminds us that we are not God, that we are not actually the ones helping the earth to spin on its twenty-three point five degree axis with the sun. The motion of the universe doesn't really depend on us! And this is where the control freaks get to take a deep breath. They can whisper, "You mean, I don't have to figure it all out?" Even agnostics and deists can take heart from this admonition. By knowing that they are not God, it gives them the ability to take a break as well.
Third, to "know that he is God" means that your mind has to chill out as well, not just your body. You must find a way to quiet your brain in the midst of the chaos around you. For me as a Christian mom, this means to meditate on God's promises through prayer. So even if the kids are screaming in the background and the world around me refuses to shut itself down, I can quiet my mind upon some of God's truths. I can think about how he'll never leave me or how he's my refuge and strength. I get to let go of all of my anxieties because he tells me not to worry about anything but to go to him in prayer with thankfulness instead (Philippians 4:6).
With the school year spinning almost as fast as the earth and the moon, let's try to slow down physically and mentally. And if you're into the God thing, try to rest spiritually as well. Take some deep breaths! Spend time reading your spiritual text. And when possible, find a quiet place! Let your kids see you stretching and meditating. Put on some classical music or some hymns. Have them sit next to you with a favorite story or a coloring book. That way, we'll all be running the race more efficiently and restfully together.
Share your thoughts on being still in a world that refuses to slow down. We'd love to hear from you. Keeping it real! :)
Whether you're religious or not, you'll love this Bible verse I'm about to quote. It comes from a song from the middle of the Bible. And it says, "Be still, and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10). This verse is particularly effective at telling us three things:
First it requires us to stop moving. We are to become motionless. And this is something that few of us actually do until we're flat on our beds snoring. We're just not comfortable slowing down. We'd rather race until our hearts pop and our heads explode. Sure we can take on more hours at work. Go ahead and toss in one more extracurricular for my kid since it'll make him smarter. Of course you can hand me one more volunteer activity at the school; I've got tons of free time. But then, when do you get to catch up?
Second, the verse reminds us that we are not God, that we are not actually the ones helping the earth to spin on its twenty-three point five degree axis with the sun. The motion of the universe doesn't really depend on us! And this is where the control freaks get to take a deep breath. They can whisper, "You mean, I don't have to figure it all out?" Even agnostics and deists can take heart from this admonition. By knowing that they are not God, it gives them the ability to take a break as well.
Third, to "know that he is God" means that your mind has to chill out as well, not just your body. You must find a way to quiet your brain in the midst of the chaos around you. For me as a Christian mom, this means to meditate on God's promises through prayer. So even if the kids are screaming in the background and the world around me refuses to shut itself down, I can quiet my mind upon some of God's truths. I can think about how he'll never leave me or how he's my refuge and strength. I get to let go of all of my anxieties because he tells me not to worry about anything but to go to him in prayer with thankfulness instead (Philippians 4:6).
With the school year spinning almost as fast as the earth and the moon, let's try to slow down physically and mentally. And if you're into the God thing, try to rest spiritually as well. Take some deep breaths! Spend time reading your spiritual text. And when possible, find a quiet place! Let your kids see you stretching and meditating. Put on some classical music or some hymns. Have them sit next to you with a favorite story or a coloring book. That way, we'll all be running the race more efficiently and restfully together.
Share your thoughts on being still in a world that refuses to slow down. We'd love to hear from you. Keeping it real! :)
Labels: be still, parents, Psalm 46:10
