1 | Be Still

Confession:  I have a hard time sitting still and doing nothing.  

When my Mr. and I curl up to watch TV, my fingers curl around a knitting needles or a sewing project.  When I'm waiting in line, I'm on my phone lining up emails to send and events to schedule.  And when I try to drag my attention away from all that "needs" to be accomplished, I feel downright fidgety.  Anxious.  Agitated.

How refreshing it is to get — to give myself — permission to rest. Physically.  Mentally.  Spiritually.   I know I need this stillness.  I know God is waiting, patiently, for me to draw near and soak up his heavenly goodness.  Do you feel his patient presence, too?

So let's put the "To Do" list on pause for a few moments as we start our 31 Days of Being Still.  Find a quiet corner.  A cozy chair.  Sit. Fold your hands.  Fold inward and into your faith.  

Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.  James 4:8a

Breathe, deep and full and from the belly.  Breathe in God's love. Hold it a moment.  Breathe out distractions.  Focus on God's love for you.  Let everything else fall away.  If it helps to have a mantra or an image, I love this one...

Repeat until you feel your shoulders drop, your burdens lift, your heart grow light.  Then snuggle into that peace of God.

Will you pray  Ann Voskamp's  beautiful "Prayer of Quiet" with me?

Lord, I do not rush on.   

I do not hurry on into the noise. 

I silence my whirring mind, my racing thoughts. 

I close my eyes.  

I sit. I pause. I rest. 

I stay here a moment in the quiet.  

I wait in silence for You only.

And when you are ready to face the day, stretch slowly into action. Remember that this stillness isn't stuck in that chair, it is God-breathed into your heart.  So when the day gets crazy and the doing gets dizzying, you can return to your deep breathing.  You can let go of the blur and the stress.  You can let God carry the burdens. Because God's got you — gently, tenderly, in the palm of his hand.

May you discover precious slices of stillness in your day.

Image credits: aprilandmaystudio.blogspot.com, lightstock.com, girlz4godrok.blogspot.com

If you are looking for a little more inspiration to BE STILL, check out these links...

The Daily Positive | Dale Partridge

The Prayer of Quiet | aHolyExperience.com

printable from raybodesign.wordpress.com