An Invitation to be Still

Psalm 46: “Be still and confess that I am God”
If you know me well, you know that leaving work isn’t easy for me, but I’m also an introvert  so I tend to love silence.  I signed up for a silent retreat in Grand Coteau several months ago, and when I arrived this past weekend I felt exhausted, yet relieved to not have any plans for the weekend.  The first night I arrived I read Psalm 46 and these were the words that captured my eyes and steadied my heart.  After reviewing my day I realized that my auto-pilot mode is to constant be on the clock, feeling rushed.  On the drive to Grand Coteau I stopped in Lafayette to visit my parents.  Before leaving my mother decided she wanted to show me all the beautiful flowers that had grown in the backyard.  As I looked back on this moment I thought, why didn’t I smell the flowers?  Literally!  I love smelling flowers but I didn’t let that thought cross my mind because traffic was bad and I didn’t want to be late for the retreat.  I wasn’t following God’s agenda, but rather my own.  How difficult it is for me to trust Him and maintain peace when I don’t take time to be aware of His presence.  How can we confess or proclaim with our minds/body/spirit that He is God if we aren’t still enough to find Him?  We walk alone and in fear when we walk hurried, on our own time. No wonder I had been anxious and stressed lately!  My prayer time had consisted of driving and asking God for help or reading scripture on my phone while walking but not really contemplating it.  I need to be still to hear His voice, touch His life, smell His gifts, taste His food, and see His beauty. When I am still I am reminded of my nothingness and His greatness and love for me. When I am still I remember what’s most important and why I am here. I am more vulnerable but spiritually strong.  I am empty, yet my soul is full.  My mind is free and my heart is at peace. Another beautiful thing I realized is that when I am completely still, I feel my baby boy move! I am aware that there is LIFE within me.  I believe this to be true for those who aren’t pregnant as well. When we are still we are conscious of who we are at our core and who we are in Christ. And isn’t that what God wants for us? To be constantly reminded of His love for us and our childlike dependence on Him. St. Augustine said, “My spirit is restless Lord until it rests in you.”  I am hope you can find some time to be still this week too :)