So many times in childhood, my mother instructed me to ‘be still’! “Be still and listen.” “Be still and try this on.” “Be still and eat your food.” “Be still – quit squirming.”

She usually needed me to be still to allow her to accomplish a task or meet an expectation, but the instruction was a wise one. We move constantly, and our activity pulls us from the stillness that allows us to center our thoughts and heart in God. We say we are too busy to be still. Perhaps we are choosing business over stillness.

Standing still doesn’t always mean completely disengaging from necessary responsibilities and service. It does call us to increase our awareness of the moment, focusing on the important rather than simply being driven by the urgent. Popular terminology refers to ‘mindfulness’, being fully present where we are. However, I like to think that our best vacations are hidden in the ordinary moments of our day, often ignored in our drive to accomplish, to finish, to achieve. The smile of a friend, the voice of a loved one, the heat of the sun on skin, the flick of a squirrel’s tail, the clear note of a bird’s song, the breath of air that fills our lungs – all treasures found in the middle of life’s mess.

We struggle with the stress of life, but we forget that we are in charge of our responses and our reactions to the happenings around us. This doesn’t mean we will not feel sorrow and pain, but it does mean that we can choose how we view this sorrow and pain – where we focus our attention.

Sometimes, we just need to breathe. Take a moment. Realize that life does not exist solely in the major events of our lives, but it meanders through the moments of the journey.

Stand still in this moment, and
let the rush move on without you.

 Stand still, and feel
the whisper of angel wings
soothing the tired lines of your life. 

 Stand still, and listen
to the heavenly refrain
strummed on harps of budding trees
and giggling children. 

Stand still, and breathe
the celestial air of everyday miracles
hidden in ordinary moments.

Stand still, and receive the love
of the Father tenderly washing
the bruises of your soul
with His tears.

Stand still.

Stand still and know.

Psalm 46:10  Be still, and know that I am God: