So - today's word is "STILL" - and here goes my post...
"Be still and know that I am God..." How hard it is to sit and be still; I wiggle and squirm and just can't sit still. And try being silent when there is so much noise and chaos all around you. I did find the time to "be still" in a quiet place outside the auditorium where we had our women's retreat. I could hear the traffic in the distance; I could hear the birds and other creatures in that quiet place. I could even see one other person walking the labyrinth a short distance from where I waFive Minute Fridays sitting. My thoughts strayed here and there; but I was sitting in the quietness trying to ask for God's guidance in the decision I wanted to make. It wasn't really that big of a deal...I just wanted to have God's assurance that it was the RIGHT decision - to be relieved of the stress I was feeling and be at peace with the thoughts I was having. And in the stillness of that place, I felt peace about what was about to be somewhat of a change in my life from the past 4 seasons - tax seasons, that is!! My decision was whether or not to continue the classes necessary to work the tax season again this year. In the stillness of that place - yes, I felt the peace and assurance that we were going to be OK even without that little bit of money coming into the household budget! I left with the peace that I sat in the stillness wanting to feel. Thank you God!
Beautiful! I love that He answered you by giving Peace! He's so good like that! (and I LOVE that graphic... so gorgeous!) We are neighbors tonight over at Kates' place for Five Minute Friday!
ReplyDeleteYes we are Karrilee!! I found the graphic on Pinterest (I am trying to use it more!!). But I still haven't figured out how to get the graphic and link to Kate's FMF site. Appreciate your reading and commenting (only my 3rd attempt to get something that makes sense written in just 5 minutes!!!).
DeleteSimply beautiful. Great post FMF neighbour.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading...I wrote my Sunday Reflections on that same quiet place! Glad to be a part of the FMF group!
DeleteIt's always amazing when God comes through to still our worrying hearts, isn't it? And despite everything, He calms the storm within us!
ReplyDeleteYes, Jen! It always amazes me, but it shouldn't!! I just felt so at peace when I visited with Him that afternoon...in the stillness of the outdoor space! I wrote more on that place in my Sunday Reflections - God's Nature and Other Stuff.
DeleteIsn't it lovely to know that God cares about all of our little and big decisions and is waiting in the quiet to lead us as we make them?
ReplyDeleteIt IS lovely!! Thank you for reading and commenting...it was sure a blessing that he was there in the quiet!
DeleteI am so glad you got you confirmation. Sometimes all we need is to just stop and take time to listen to him. He is faithful!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It sure did fill me with the peace and assurance I needed! Appreciate your reading and commenting!
DeleteI would certainly feel peace and relief to not have to do taxes ;). I can't imagine doing someone else's. I'm glad that you received peace in the stillness that you sought!
ReplyDeleteWell, I have done ours for many years; and when I lost my job and attended a job fair, I signed up to do the classes and then worked for them 4 tax seasons...it's just with so many other things happening this fall - my being "sick", in the hospital, "caring for" hubby, helping daughter with her 3 under 4 years old! Just too stressful to try...maybe next year; but for now...
DeleteThank you for sharing your heart and this story with us. I love those quiet moments when I feel wrapped in God's peace and rest. I hope you have a lovely weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and commenting...I just finished the 1st day of a 3 day weekend retreat for crafters! I am home getting ready for a good night's rest so I can go back tomorrow! Hope yours is great too!!
DeleteI love that God showed up in your stillness and gifted you with a peace that only He can give. May you enjoy more quiet times in the busy of your life and feel God's presence in a big way as we move into a holiday season of craziness! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteYes, the craziness of the holidays!!! Ours begins with Thanksgiving when my son and his family will be here...for a Thanksgiving/Christmas!! I am thankful that my 3 "children" and their spouses (so, my SIX "children") and ALL SIX of the grandkids will ALL be together...I am excited! Hope your are great, too - and will continue to look for those quiet times - I'm sure I'll need them! Thanks for reading!
DeleteOh, Barbara, what a post. Sometimes I think people make themselves busy because they're afraid to be still because being still means we have to think through things we'd rather not touch. But it's ironic because when we're still, and allow ourselves to think, we come to decisions that are only the best ones for us.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have just been so busy lately that I couldn't find that quiet place. As I always do, I knew that place would be the conference center where we held our women's retreat - it is a beautiful outdoor place where our kids go for summer camps; see my Sunday Reflections for pictures and more that I wrote about it at: http://scrapper123.blogspot.com/2014/11/gods-nature-and-other-stuff.html
DeleteHi Barbara ...
ReplyDeleteI love that He whispered stillness into your heart in the midst of a conference ... often a very hard thing to experience.
And oh ... a labyrinth. I love that experience of focused time with Him, walking, listening, moving forward.
Weekend blessings ...
Thanks, Linda! It is always great when He finds us in the stillness; but first, we have to be still...that is hard for me to do! But in that time and place - it was what I needed...and the labyrinth was set up using stones that were found around the conference center...it is also great to walk and listen! Appreciate your reading and commenting!
ReplyDelete