Saturday Stillness

Hi there. It's been a while. This blog is a new place for me and I'm still a little wobbly when it comes to knowing how to use it.

My journal is one of my favorite places I visit daily, but I'm never certain what to share and what to keep for myself.

Today I decided to share simply because I want everyone to find some stillness wherever they are and if you've had a week that has tasted a bit sour like mine has, maybe this will help.

Here goes.....

I'm breathing, trying to let all the tension of this week slough off me like some sort of soul peel. It's 10:01am and I have no obligations until 12:30pm.

"The Lord Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

He says, 'Be still and know that I am God.'" (Psalm 46:7 & 10).

Still.

Be still.

Are the words and all the drama of the week dancing around in your mind?

Be still.

Do you feel the prick of obligation or responsibility creating a jump-up reaction and suddenly you look down and you're holding a dripping pen fresh from writing a ten-point bulleted to-do list?

Be still.

Is shame beckoning? Is he curling his long crooked finger at you urging you to do this, go there, text that, to make it right?

Be still.

Are the voices of 'do and do and do' harmonizing in your mind, swaying, luring you into action to do and do and do to make proud the voices in your head? Those imaginary people we need to impress to feel validated, valuable, worthy and esteemed?

Be still.

Just. Be. Still.

Be where you are right now. Be who you are right now. Don't try to fix or change or make better. In this moment, in this space there is no place for obligation, responsibility, or shame.

"The Lord Almighty is with us.

The God of Jacob is our fortress."

I am a fortress, a safe place to come and rest and to set down all of your bags and bags and bags of things. You've been carrying a lot this week. I've seen the laughter and delight but I've also seen the heavy words, the damming thoughts, the tension, the shame, the 'should-haves', the 'have-to's' and the tears.

Today, simply come, even if you only have a minute, cross the bridge from this past week and step behind the walls of my fortress.

It's quiet here. Safe.

You can set down all your bags, you don't need to worry about them on this side of the wall. They will be taken care of as long as you are here.

Come on in. Don't be afraid to come in and go deeper into this place.

There's a lovely river here. Grab a blanket, lay it down by the banks of the river in the green lush grass. Don't worry about bugs or crawly things, they won't bother you here. Lay down. Look up at the sky, watch the clouds and let the calming song of the river quiet your soul.

All you have to do is lie still.

And know.

I am God.

I love you.

As you are.

Right here, right now.

And I'm so glad you're here.