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Be Still My Soul

1/24/2012

4 Comments

 
Laughter echoed through the house as Trey ran from room to room, calling out, "Dad! Chase me! Chase me!"

Bed time was advancing closer, and he was showing no indication of being tired, ready for rest. We attempted to interest him in reading a story, taking a bath - but he did his best to ignore us.

The battle began to wear us down. The boy had no inclination to listen, he wanted to play, and the more we attempted to calm him down, the more rowdy he became. 

"That's it," I said to Tom, "Nap time is now officially being cut back to one hour."

We began to lower our voices, talk slower and quieter, and put a stop to the running. It took an hour of firm, quiet discussion. There was a very rare temper tantrum, even after Tom had said his prayers and told him a story. 

That boy wanted what he wanted, and he would just as soon shout louder than listen. 

We finally did get him to bed, but it was under major protest. 

I began to think about how many times I am the same with God. Running through my life, my actions yell, "God! Chase me! Chase me!" 

Sometimes, my frantic activity reflects disquiet in my heart - as I run from one activity to the next, it is almost impossible to hear the quiet, restful whisper of the Holy Spirit. 

Sometimes, when I am struggling with my own questions, I find that I don't really want to hear what God has to say. So I keep my thoughts circling madly, going from one anxiety to another. 

Because sometimes, God wants me to rest in the uncomfortable. To accept the pain. To allow myself to truly feel the disappointment, the hurt. 

Sometimes, God just needs me to take the time to be quiet and see my soul for what it truly is - sinful. 

It is in that quiet moment of self-acceptance (that I am a sinner, no better than the next) that I am able to grasp the need for, and the value of: compassion, mercy and unconditional love. 

When I have rested in my own disquiet  allowed it to penetrate, I have then opened myself up to God's quiet, God's grace, God's forgiveness. 

And when I've been THERE - I can share it with others. 

Today's encouragement is this - Be Still. God is on your side. He may ask you to bear patiently some feelings you would just as soon not feel. He may ask you to look clearly in the face some sin, to come to terms with your sinfulness - not to condemn you, but to FREE you. To give you the opportunity to share the grace you have received. 

Do not be too hasty in your desire to get out from under - it could be that in your haste, you miss a blessing. 
"You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." James 1:2-4 The Message

"Be Still, My Soul"
by Catharina von Schlegel, 1697-?
Translated by Jane Borthwick, 1813-1897
1. Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

3. Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.

4. Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

4 Comments
Diana
1/24/2012 04:18:49 am

Well written. Sometimes we just don't want to be still for fear of what God might say to us. I'm rather fond of that song!! Thanks, Rosalyn

Reply
Rosalyn
1/24/2012 04:33:27 am

Diana,
So glad you enjoyed the devotional. Yes, I like that song as well. Thank you for your comment!
Blessings,
Rosalyn

Reply
Teresa McCloskey
1/30/2012 09:23:49 pm

Rosalyn, I love the overall message and reminder to be still. When my 12 year old was diagnosed as having "Oppositional Defiant Disorder," it hit me about a year later that I am SO often acting ODD to my heavenly father. He has clearly laid out instructions for me, but I spend a lot of time shaking my proverbial fist at him saying, "I'm going to do it my own way!" Of course, my way is never the right way :)

However... one thing God does not do is force me. Into anything. Ever. He presents learning opportunities aplenty, but do I think he is so lacking in power that if he wanted to impose his will onto me he couldn't do so? Of course not. He holds the power of the universe and beyond, yet he never, ever encroaches on the free will with which he blessed me. Never. He gives me signs and information and love and patience abounding, but never do I get a time out or nose in the corner or punitive consequence (natural consequences of my own stubborn decisions, yes!). Why am I saying this? Because when I was between 3 and 4 years old, I vividly remember being forced (completely against my will) to nap. My mom would lie with me because *she* obviously needed the nap, but I was expected to also sleep even when I was not tired. I burned and seethed with resentment toward her for those days. I could hear my older sister playing in the next room, I could hear the laughter of children outside, and I was being held captive against my will! I understand cutting back on Trey's nap so he'll be more tired at bed time, but with all love and respect to you and your choices am wondering why he had to sleep rather than be chased? Our time with our kiddos is SO short, and there is no going backward, no regaining these precious moments. As the 18th birthday of my oldest approaches, I do not look back with relish at the times I got him to bed and had 'grown up' or quiet time - I look back with sadness at the times I rushed through our moments together or the times I wished away his childhood due to my own frustrations. I can't go back, I cannot undo the way I felt in those moments, but I *can* be still and cherish today's moments as they are rather than as I wish they were.

Just my 2 cents :)

Reply
Rosalyn
1/30/2012 10:29:57 pm

Theresa, Thank you so much for your comment! I am so glad that you were touched by the message.

Your question is a good one. I would use myself as an example. There are many nights that I do not want to go to bed - I would rather enjoy some time watching television or reading, being alone in the quiet. The consequence of staying up late is that I am impatient and tired the next day.

Do I want to go to bed? No. Is it a better choice for me to go to bed? Yes.

It would be unfair of me to let Trey stay up late and then expect him to act respectfully, being obedient and reasonable the next day. I want to set him for success, not create a situation where he can only fail.

Second, how do we learn to be obedient to God if not by learning obedience to our earthly father? It is important to us that Trey learns that he can trust our decisions for him. As he gets older, we will frame his life in such a way that he will make these decisions on his own - with the goal that he will use the tools and information we've given him to make solid, good choices.

Lastly, in our home, we are very conscious that one person does not have the right to upset the entire house. We call this 'hostage taking'. My husband wakes up at 4AM (sometimes 3AM with overtime) to go to work. He must get to bed at a reasonable hour in order to function safely. It is important to us that Trey learn to respect bedtime because he's not the only one going to bed.

We rarely 'force' Trey to do anything. The training he's received up to now has taught him that he's expected to be obedient, and that when he is, there is a blessing. When he is not, there is a consequence. THAT is the lesson God wants us all to learn - what better gift for us to give our son than a headstart?

Thank you so much for your note, you have blessed me with your honesty and transparency.

Blessings,
Rosalyn

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