So... I'm not even sure to how to start this - but, here it goes. Have you ever had a time in your life where you have 2.2 million things going on and you were worried and stressed about everything?? Well... I have had a lot going on in the past several months. I have fostered my first child (and it's not easy), I have had a child go into the Army (and that wasn't easy either), I have changed roles in my job (which I am super excited about), and those are just the top three. There has been a lot going on in my life, and I have worried until I have about made myself sick. As all of my craziness has been going on, I have listened to a dear friend who has had their share of craziness as well. The difference.... one of us is patient and one of us is not (I'm just going to let you decide which one is and which one is not). As we have talked, he kept saying, "I'm just trying to be still." Now... anyone who knows me - knows that being still is NOT my strong suit. But, it is great advice. So... I have really started thinking about what being still means.Being still - perhaps being still is calming your mind by letting God take control or maybe it is simply listening to His voice instead of our own. I think so many times we get caught up in what we want in life, and we let worry take over and we forget to listen to what He has to say. In Exodus 14:14, it tells us, "The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." Wow... that sounds so easy right?? What would happen if we prayed, and asked Him to fight our battles for us? Do you think the outcomes would be different if we were to listen to His answer, instead of our own? And what about our mistakes?? Do you think that if we were to sit still and listen He may show us what we are doing wrong? In Job 6:24, we are told, "Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone astray." Y'all... I know that I get caught up in what I want, what my kids want, what my family wants AND I know that I forget to ask what HE wants! Can you even imagine how your life would change if we were simply sat still and silent and actually listened?
As this week continues, here is the commitment I am making to myself. I will pray about everything! I will be still and I will wait patiently on an answer. As a matter of fact, y'all may want to pray for me to be patient (definitely NOT my strong suit). I will also be praying for the many people in my life who have big decisions to be made. As my wise friend said, "sometimes you just have to be still."
On a side note... please pray for my soldier this week. C is finishing up his combined Basic Training and AIT, and beginning today was starting his last field training exercise (which is a week long). This is the last in a long line of physical, emotional, and mental endurance exercises he will have to complete before graduation. So... please just keep him in your prayers!
