Be Still…I’m Moving

It is dark yet, and the day is so very young when I nestle into my favorite chair. There is such a stillness in our home this time of day except for the ticking of the clock and the occasional peaceful sighs of my sleeping pup nearby.

My heart welcomes the stillness.

I need these few moments far more than I make time for them. The last few months have been hard…really, really hard. Just the thought of some recent events exhausts me. It is in this pure stillness that I find solace and am replenished by HIM. Though in these moments few words are uttered, there is a crying out of the soul to its Maker. Cries for help, comfort, wisdom, healing.

I know!!! I know with all that I am that He is working…. moving and orchestrating the impossible.

My problem is that patience in the process is not my strong suit, especially when people I love are hurting other people I love. I have felt trapped by it, and I am fearful that this will drive a deep wedge through the very heart of our family.

How can I fix this? How can I stop this train of chaos from barreling through our family? What. Can. I. Do? Well intended questions? Of course, they are! There’s only one problem with these questions: they are all based on what I can do. Trust me when I tell you sweet one, that my limitations are many. This is when God reminds me that HE will fight for me; I need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 (NIV)

He reminds me that HIS timing is perfect and always has been! Wait on the LORD [Anita]; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the LORD! Psalms 27:14 (KJV) “Author’s paraphrase”

It is in these fiery trials, He will often call to mind Psalm 119:105 that says. “His word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” A lamp… not a searchlight that we may see the whole path at once. There are times that he doesn’t intend for us to know what lies beyond the moment we’re in. For these seasons of darkness, He says His word is a “lamp unto our feet”.  Friends, have you ever pictured that in your mind’s eye? A lamp only illuminates a few steps at a time, and to be honest, even in those few steps my faithfulness falters.

So, what does this mean for us sweet sisters? It means we must trust, believe, pray and obey for the next few steps, then the next few steps after that.  It means that we, you and I are called to reject our human inclination to fix others, panic, or quit, which is easier said than done. Instead, we must regularly get in His Word, and sit at His feet for ourselves. Not studying to teach. Not studying to lead. Beloved, we must study to receive for ourselves. Our Abba knows what the day holds and what it will require of us as wives, mothers and leaders. He is, and always will be faithful to give us all that we need at just the right time.

I’ll leave you with this last thought.

Remember what Jesus said in Mark 12:30-31? He said to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater then these.”  Don’t miss that sisters…no commandment greater than these! We are to love God and love people: both the hurting and those responsible for the hurt. Not our human version of love but HIS. You know, the 1 Corinthians 13, no matter what, even-when- they-don’t- deserve-it, kind of love. It is challenging to say the least, but this is what is getting me through. I am resolving to take one faithful, loving, lamp-lit step at a time; all the while purposing to be still so that He can move.

Anita, a spunky Texas native, serves in full time ministry along side her husband Sandy. They serve at Deep Creek Community Church in sunny southwest Florida. Anita’s heartbeat is to see women discover who God created them to be, and to walk passionately with the Lord. Nothing brings her more joy than seeing women walk victoriously with their King.
Her story is one filled of restoration, new beginnings and the grace of God as He turned ashes of pain into a beautiful, vibrant ministry.
Anita is a mother to three amazing boys and one fur baby. She loves to spend time in the kitchen cooking and feeding a houseful of fellas.