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LAC Families-
Slow down, wait for me. We hear this phrase often, but do we heed the warning it really is? I am guilty of filling every moment. I am proud to be a multitasker. I love crossing things off a list. Yet, I teach my children the importance of balance. Balance in what they eat, how they spend their free time, etc.. Where in my life do I demonstrate balance for them? Especially, if I’m constantly squeezing every moment of my day full until I find myself at the end of the day falling asleep while I read them a book?
Children are really good at helping us slow down. My oldest daughter had the most convincing way. She would take my hand and say, “Come here. I want to show you something.” As she led me into her room I prepared myself to help her, instead she sat among her toys and simply said, “Play with me.” Typically I would hurry past this moment but I am realizing I need to change the way I go about my days. I need the balance I try to teach my children. I need stillness and play as much as I need to mark things off my To-do list.
Psalm 46 says, “Be still, stop striving and know I am God.” If you read the entire Psalm you might think the world is falling apart. It literally talks about mountains falling into the sea through earthquakes. Yet in the next breath this beautiful poem of worship reminds us that God is in control. His voice calms the seas and we are to come and see what He has done. When we come to see we are not asked to join in the work we are told to be still, to stop striving and know God. There might be times we feel the world is falling apart around us. God is asking us to be still and know Him. To stop striving and just BE with him. God is leading us by the hand, to sit with him and enjoy.
So, I am learning to slow down and simply be. Amidst, the chaos this often feels an impossible task. Even in my silent time with God I find myself striving, through studying, checking off my prayer list, seeking God for answers to my problems. While I am not saying these are bad things, where do I leave room to just enjoy God and be His daughter? Then the wisdom of my children rings again in my ears. “Mommy, Slow down. Wait for me. Mommy, I want to show you something. Play with me.”
How can we simply be? The two websites below give practical steps for slowing down. They may seem elementary. That is the lovely thing about this concept. It is not difficult. We just have to make the space. My prayer is for you and your family to enjoy daily moments of breath together. To watch the clouds dance by or observe the way the shadows create a dabbled pattern on the mountain and breath out a prayer of thanksgiving to our amazingly, creative God.
https://raiseyoursword.com/how-to-slow-down-in-a-busy-world/
https://www.forumchristian.org/slowdown
Blessings,
Melinda Manus
Director of Elementary Ministries
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