How you can bring children freedom & lots of freebies
Stillness lingers as the outline of the mountains shifts from purple to grey. As the sun peeks over the highest ridgeline, birds usher in the morning with their joyous announcement. From my prayer chair, I notice young mothers pushing strollers toward the nearby park, the older gentleman from up the street pausing near our driveway as he walks his pint-sized mixed-breed, and several harried men and women rushing little ones into the neighbor’s in-home daycare.
I smile and inhale the scent of chamomile tea wafting from the mug in my hands. Then, I pause and thank God for the slower pace. School seems a distant prospect and these quiet moments in His presence sustain me. Strengthen me. Carry me through and anchor my spirit in Truth.
And I wonder how many of the people outside my window will make space for stillness with the Lord today.
The Importance of Stillness
Making space for quiet. For calm. For stillness of soul. What an uncommon practice in a schedule-packed, social-media-driven world. Since childhood, I have loved stillness. The gentle laughter of a brook as it bubbles over pebbles on its way downstream and the evening cry of a lone owl camouflaged in the arms of a cottonwood gentle my heart when troubles overwhelm.
When the pandemic made its menacing appearance, the desire to seek the tangible presence of God burned brighter. The importance of stillness was somehow magnified.
What does stillness before the Lord mean?
Psalm 46:10 (NKJV) instructs, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
The words be still are translated from the Hebrew, harpu, which means “to let go, to release” or “to cause to let go”. Yada, rendered be still, can also be interpreted “know well, clearly understand” and “declare”.
Like me, do you need to release the mundane of your day or challenges and trials? The Father invites us to a place of rest. There, we can sit at His feet in a time of solitude—extending our cares with open hands and exchanging them for the light burden of Christ. (Matthew 11:28-30)
How can we practice stillness in God’s presence?
Ways we can grow in the practice of stillness with God include:
Bullet journaling or recording prayers in a journal as part of our time with the Lord. (Keep a notepad nearby and if thoughts about daily activities intrude, record them. Then return to our appointment with the Lord.)
Listen to and sing praise and worship songs.
Follow a daily Bible-reading plan.
Take a prayer walk.
Write a Psalm.
Listen to the Bible on audio.
Meditate on scripture. Read and re-read one section of scripture (i.e. a favorite Psalm or chapter of a favorite book of the Bible) until it is memorized.
Pray scripture aloud over our spouse, children, extended family, and ourselves.
Listen to instrumental worship music and invite the Lord to speak to our hearts. Gradually extend the time we spend with Him.
Five Favorite Bible Verses About Stillness
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Is. 40:31 ESV)
Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. (Job 37:14 ESV)
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” (Is. 30:15 ESV)
And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. (1 Kings 19:12 ESV)
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. (Ps. 62:5 ESV)
When you meet with the Lord, how do you practice stillness? What verse do you recommend I add to those above?
Favorite Photos of the Month
Giveaways for You!
Do you need a new summer read? These bestselling nonfiction authors have teamed up to offer a delightful selection of fifteen books. You might consider 7 Days to Upping Your Prayer Life, Loving Others, and Having More Joy.
Hoping for a new mystery, crime, or suspense story? This group of authors presents forty-five free selections including novellas, full books, short stories, and introductory chapters.
Titles include Beneath the Surface by Tara Marlow, A New Kind of Zeal by Michelle Warren, and Take Down by Blair Denholm.
Or, you might try this giveaway with more than forty free books. One intriguing thriller is First Storm by E.G. Ellory.
Enjoy this pretty phone wallpaper! (Follow the link, click share, and download.)
Mental Health Coaching Opportunity
Those of you who have journeyed with me for more than a couple of months know that I advocate for mental health awareness in the church and community. Last week, I completed the first module of Light University’s Mental Health Coaching program and look forward to completing the remaining two.
If you, too, feel a burden to equip churches and reach the hurting, or would like to learn more about becoming a mental health coach, click here for more information.
Books on My Shelf
Countdown by Lynette Eason A skilled predictor, Lynette pulled a fast one and surprised me with the outcome in this great book. I finished reading the novel in two days because I did not want to put it down!
Raina Price has been playing hide-and-seek from her abusive ex for years. Now, the truth she tried to conceal has been revealed and only US Marshal Vincent Corelli can help her.
The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms, a book about suffering and faith, speaks to the mother whose child overcomes mental illness, the woman with a chronic diagnosis, or the friend walking through the heartache of abandonment. Written by author, speaker, and podcaster, Dr. Michelle Bengston, you will want an extra copy or two to share with those you know and love.
Praying for Your Future Husband I purchased two copies of this book—one for my daughter and me. Each Sunday, we’re reading and discussing a chapter. Oh, what a wealth of wisdom Tricia Goyer and Robin Jones Gunn provide. This would be a fabulous book for a middle school or high school youth group Bible study.
Other books I am reading:
Blue Ridge Mountain Escape by Loretta Eidson
Fugitive in Hiding by Jenna Night
A Guide for Listening and Inner-Healing Prayer: Meeting God in the Broken Places by Rusty Rustenbach
Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard
Writerly News
Have you watched The Sound of Freedom yet? Such a riveting, important film. Because childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, and trafficking are deeply intertwinted, I’ve supported local groups anti-trafficking groups for several years. One of them, Exodus Road, recently launched its latest campaign to put an end to the sale of innocent children. If each subscriber donated $2, our impact would be well over $4000. To find out more, click here.
Today, I’m participating in the Love Inspired Suspense pitch. If you read suspense, which are your favorite themes? Maybe mistaken identity, law enforcement heroes, cold cases? Perhaps a preferred setting like a Colorado ranch? I’d love to know!
I am also busy writing my rough draft of Reclaiming the Lost Territory of Your Life, a nonfiction book for survivors of childhood sexual abuse and/or domestic violence. While my agent and I decided to wait to re-pitch the proposal, I will be leading a group through the book this fall at church. Would you please pray that God will provide the time, space, and energy I need to finish writing the book and that He will also use this opportunity to bring deep healing to hurting women?
I hope this finds you well. As always, please don’t hesitate to let me know if I can pray for you.
Peace and grace,
Tammy
Always enjoy your posts Ms. Tammy. Finding that stillness in God's presence is sometimes elusive. Not because He isn't always present, but because I sometimes struggle stilling my soul. Thank you ma'am.