Be Still

I wake early to the sound of my husband crawling out of bed for his early morning run. It is too early for me, and so I turn to face the window, snuggle deep under the covers and return to sleep. Quickly though, I breathe a prayer of thanks for this wonderful man of mine, for his safety, and I'm gone.

When I do wake, my mind runs over a mental list of things to be accomplished this day. So many- and yet, there never seem to be enough hours to get it all done. Today I must work with Collin in his chemistry book. And geometry. Yes, we'll sit at the table, and go over his lessons. I want to make another batch of soap. And barbecue sauce. The ingredients have been sitting on the counter for over a week. There are loads of laundry, and the floors need swept.

I jump on Facebook to catch a glimpse of Mac, only he isn't there. But God is. I drink in the Scripture verses that several friends have posted for the day. I read slowly, gathering nourishment for the day ahead.

I throw in a load of laundry, and start cutting onions. Eleven of them. I press 22 cloves of garlic. I measure, and I stir, and I pray. Will I accomplish all that I need to?

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

I get the lye water mixed for the soap. I measure the oils. I prepare the mold, and I pray. So far, so good. I really need to work with Collin.

Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself

from his holy dwelling. Zechariah 2:13

I clean up the kitchen, and talk to my sweet husband on the phone. I realize there are errands that need to be run, and I pray. My list never seems to end. Why can't I accomplish all that I need to?

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Psalm 37:7

I start to sweep the floors, and the phone rings. It is Autumn, and I sit to chat with her. It is good to hear her voice though we saw each other just last night. I realize, this is how my heavenly Father feels about me. No matter how often I come to Him, he enjoys hearing my voice.

Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Psalm 4:4

I ask Collin and Abigail to get ready to go to town. There are groceries to buy, letters to mail, and gas tanks to be filled. And I pray all the way there. Lord, give me the strength to get everything done. I'm going to miss Mac though he wanted to video chat today. Give me peace.

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.

Exodus 14:14

My phone rings in the store, and it's Mac. Of course he understands that I had errands. We talk through several aisles, and I find myself smiling. And we agree to talk later in the evening.

And I pray on the way home. Thank you, Lord, for working out the details. Thank you for caring about every little thing. You are marvelous, and I love you! I realize I may not get everything done on my mental list, and it's okay. God doesn't love me any more or less because of what I do or don't do. He loves me because I am His, and that's enough.

And when I returned home I found a sweet email from a dear sister in Christ with all of the above Scripture verses, reminding me of God's love once again.

Photos by Collin