Sugared Birch is the aroma wafting through my office. Blue fading into yellow, upwards to grey hangs above the disrobing trees in my backyard. Pitter pattering feet staccato above my head. I tire, after clocking in for the book I’ve committed to putting on paper in just one month, unedited, yet the message dug out of my head. My oven taunts me, begging to be filled with wrapped hot dogs for dinner and Marvel Comic hero cookies for dessert. My mind is mush and my heart longs to just.be.still.
I stretch for a bit, chomping on Ritz Cheese Cracker sandwiches and stare out the window to ground myself with a view other than my computer. I see still waters in the creek that creates a natural property line between my backyard and the woods. There it is again: stillness.
I remember my mother, coaching me through the wiggles of the church pew as a child saying it, too: “Just be still.”
What God once said to Israel, He whispers to my heart, “ In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength…” (Isaiah 30:15, ESV)
So, I do. I return to Him, quietly, gaining confidence from what He has to say to me from His Word and I’m strengthened.
Celebrating Immanuel
This season of celebrating the coming of Immanuel can be so chaotic. You can find yourself wandering aisles and web pages, in search of the perfect gift. You won’t find it in these places. The perfect gift is the reason why we offer gifts at all. We bless others with gifts to point to the greatest gift of all: Immanuel, God with us. As you carry on sweet traditions and bustle on to gathering after gathering, don’t neglect the peace brought by silent night that birthed opportunity for Heavenly peace. Take time to return and rest… to be with God while tucking yourself into the stillness of His presence through time in His Word and in prayer.
[easy-tweet tweet=”Take time to return and rest… to be with God while tucking yourself into the stillness of His presence through time in His Word and in prayer. ” user=”@JaymeHull” hashtags=”#Bestill”]Do you long for stillness in your churning calendar? Then just be still, my friend. Return and rest. Quiet your heart and let the confidence of the God who came to dwell with you be your strength.
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