30 Days of Being Still....Day 2

Yesterday was the first day in a long time that I had any time to myself.  My youngest was in preschool and none of my normal obligations were scheduled.  So, with 2 1/2 hours solo, a trashed house, and that pesky "To Do" List calling my name, I decided to first spend time with God.  I spent the ENTIRE 2 1/2 hours Annie was gone reading the 46th Psalm, praying, and then blogging.  That was NOT my intention at all-in fact, when it was time to pick her up, I was feeling a bit stressed b/c I spent all morning "Being Still".....

After picking her up, my husband called and asked if we could go to lunch together.  This is not something that happens often, and I LOVE any excuse to spend time with him (huge extra bonus:seeing my man in his uniform), so off I went.  Annie and I got to spend an 1 1/2 hours at lunch enjoying his company.  

After lunch, we got home and I recalled why I was feeling slightly stressed out before.  There were 3 huge piles of laundry to be folded and put away, the kitchen was trashed, the craft room, kid's bedroom, my bathroom were all begging to be cleaned, Annie had homework, and dinner was still not even thought of.  

So, now I was beginning to regret "wasting" the entire morning on the whole "Being Still" endeavor.  Yup, I actually thought that: My morning was "wasted" on being still with God, talk about a lie from the Devil in the form of socks everywhere, dirty counters, and messy dishes.  

The second I started to feel that pang of mommy/housewife guilt, I decided to just start doing what I could.  The Holy Spirit made my afternoon more productive than any I've had in a long time.  I finished all the chores in only 45 minutes and still had time for dinner prep.  

That's when the "Loaves and Fishes" story popped into my head.  You know the one:

Matthew 14:13-21New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

So, He did that for my with my time b/c I gave Him my morning.  I know this won't always be the case, and just b/c I choose to be still doesn't mean I will always have time to finish everything, but I know this is God's encouragement to me to keep "Being Still".  The best part? By the end of the day, I felt refreshed and glad b/c I wasn't doing this on my own.  He is with me.

Here is the 46th Psalm again.  It's my prayer every day for 30 days! I am "Being Still and Knowing that He is God".....I am also working on memorizing it over the next 30 days! 

Psalm 46

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth.[b] A song.

1 God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields[d] with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.