Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
By Heidi Baumgartner, communication director
Sometimes I sit. Just sit.
Yes, me. Multi-tasking working mama.
No phone. No book. No magazine. No craft. No project. No journal.
Just me, the chair and my environment. And the Holy Spirit.
Usually this ends up happening in my husband's carpenter shop while I’m sitting on a green camp chair, watching our young son play and my husband build.
I will watch him craft raw wood into a finished work of custom beauty one piece at a time. His rhythmic movements are fascinating to observe as he measures, marks, cuts, sands, glues, assembles and clamps.
Sometimes we talk. Sometimes we are silent. Sometimes we exchange words of encouragement, especially when something hasn't gone right. Sometimes God will plant the right breakthrough thought in our minds.
Sometimes our son will cease from playing in the scrap box, sweeping with the shop broom, or poking purple foam board with one of Daddy's drills to come sit with me.
This usually happens when machines need to be powered up. We'll put on our safety earmuffs and eyeglasses, too, and snuggle to watch Dad run his saws, planers, and sanders. The muffs turn the buzzing and whirring into beautiful white noise.
Sometimes I am agitated in my chair. Or even resentful. Sometimes my chaotic thoughts echo in doubt, fear, anxiety, or frustration.
Yet...
I still take a seat and remain there. To lean into my thoughts. To feel the emotions and feelings. To just be in the presence of God. To allow myself to be transformed by the Holy Spirit.
And as I do...
Those hurried feelings
Melt
Away
And
I
Feel
Peace
And
Calmness
Enter my heart
Allowing me to power up for whatever God brings next into my life.
Activity Prompt
Sit together, quietly, for an agreed upon amount of time, perhaps 1 minute, 3 minutes, or 5 minutes. Observe your environment. Engage your senses. What do you see, hear, smell, feel? When the time is done, reflect together what it was like to “Be Still.” What was your thought process? What did you notice?
Take another agreed amount of time (say 3-5 minutes) and spend this time in quiet prayer. Open your heart to God. Then pray together as a family. Share what God impressed upon your heart in the quiet time. Share what scriptures God may have brought to mind.
Prayer Prompt
Lord, life can be rather busy and chaotic. Help us to slow down and savor Your presence. Help us open our hearts to You, to the truths you want to instill in our hearts. Grant us with your peace, joy and reassurance in the journey of life through whatever ups-and-downs we experience. Help us to lean fully on You in all times in all ways. Amen.
