Being Still {a valuable discipline}

Be STILL and know that I am God...

One of my favorite things to do is sit outside in the early morning {YES, even though I'm not a morning person} and just admire the beauty created around me by the one true God.  There's something calming and relaxing about taking in such splendor. It's even better with a hot cup of coffee in my hand! So it's no wonder that after a very frustrating morning, upon taking my kiddos outside {after major fits, melt down and voice raising} that they instantly calmed and starting giggling as they looked out over the pond and ducks behind our house.  And I had one of those "a ha" moments {one of those moments where I think to myself, why didn't I do this sooner? Maybe this could have avoided all the frustrations that occurred 10 minutes prior!}  It made me think of a few things:
1. God is amazing, he created us to worship him and find complete solace and satisfaction in Him alone. {Thankful for God's work in creation and how His creation can lead me to worshiping the Creator.  Acknowledging a clear distinction between worshiping the Creator and NOT His creation}
2. Even my kids at such a young age can {and we pray} experience His greatness. {Thankful they find delight in His creation and hope to continue to encourage an enjoyment in the One who created all things}
3. True rest is only found through Christ. {I strive to find rest often, even in literal sleep at night by getting "enough" sleep yet will find myself waking up tired.  It's in these moments-especially this week for some reason-that I have to press into Christ and find my strength and energy in Him alone, knowing He will sustain me through each moment in every day}
4. I am an easily angered person. {May the Lord continue to refine my heart and give me wisdom in how I speak to my children - even when what they're doing is driving me crazy!}

So the picture above, after posting on facebook, my brother commented, "Be still and know that I am God" and I thought that comment was very fitting to this picture.  Although these two kiddos are anything BUT still most of the time, they were in this moment, standing still and admiring the scenery.  So this led me to some other verses in Psalm that always stir my affection for the Lord and encourage me to press in to the Lord more {and also ones that seemed so fitting to my chaotic morning}:

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When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him...O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!" Psalm 8: 3,4,9

 But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.  I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13: 5-6

 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Psalm 19:1

 For Your name's sake, O Lord, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great. Psalm 25:11

 Examine me, O Lord, and try me; Test my mind and my heart. Psalm 26:2

 O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Psalm 34:8

 Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:10-12

Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever...But as for me, the nearness of God is my good..." Psalm 73: 25, 26, 28

It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night...For You, O Lord, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands. Psalm 92:1,2,4

He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.  As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.  Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.  For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. Psalm 103: 10-14

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.  Let my meditation be pleasing to Him; As for me, I shall be glad in the Lord. Psalm 104: 33-34

This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.  Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations; You established the earth, and it stands. Psalm 119:89

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord... Psalm 127:3

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!  How vast is the sum of them!  If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.  When I awake, I am still with You. Psalm 139:17-18

Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting way. Psalm 139:23-24

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Encouraged yet?  I hope so!  I felt instantly refreshed upon scanning the scriptures and found rest in the Lord in the midst of my chaotic morning. 

So a challenge to myself {and to whomever is willing to do so}...take a moment and BE STILL daily!  Daily is the key, resting in the Lord isn't something like filling up your car's gas tank {which I only have to do every other week}, but rather it's something that needs to happen daily so I am not at my wits end with the kiddos and short in responses to my husband {or anyone else for that matter!} I have to admit, this is not always an easy practice for me, especially being a momma of two tots who's life mantra screams {sometimes literally} "GO, GO, FAST, FAST, GOOOOO!"  So here's to resting and being still today {and tomorrow, and the next and so on!}

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