Still

Lately, my biggest growth has come in learning when to be still and when to get going again. When I was on the beach in North Carolina recently, I remembered how patient God wants us to be. I was lying on the beach all bundled up and looking at the beautfiul sky. The stars were very clear, and the ocean was right there pounding constantly onto the shore. The night air was very crisp. The sky was so black, but there was mist on the beach. It was such a beautfiul place and time.
As I looked up at the sky, I saw constalations and a shooting star went by. Then, a little while later another shooting star blazed past. Me and my friends were silent, taking it all in. For a little while I just took in the sound of the ocean and the deep vastness of the sky. But, after a few minutes, I began to watch for more shooting stars. It was getting colder, and I thought-- OK God, next shooting star, I will know it is time to go.
So, I lay there looking for shooting stars. I looked and looked. I kept my eyes on the sky, listening to the ocean at my feet. No shooting stars. Then I realized what I was doing. I was in a beautiful place, a place of wonder and peace, and I was wanting a sign about what was next. We all do this from time to time. We are right where God wants us, but we are looking for a sign about what is next. When I realized I was not only 'testing God' in a way, but also missing the moment I was supposed to be in, by wondering when it would be over, I became very still.
This is the kind of stillness God wants for us all the time. God wants us to fully experience each moment that we are going through. This lesson in resting was really helpful to me. It reminds me to be where I am. A friend of mine has an eight year old daughter whose birthday in December. The girl is going around telling everyone that she will be nine this year. She is so looking forwrd to what is next, she is missing her chance to be eight. God wants us to experience the blessing of this moment. It is important to be right where you are, when you are, the age and cirumstance you are. When we stop looking forward to what is next, we will be able to experience the peace that comes with being still.

God, thank you for allowing us the moments of our past. Thank you for the beauty that surrounds us. You have been with us each and every day. You know the desires of our hearts. We trust you with our right now. Help us to be present to the mystery and awe in each moment. Bless this now, and this one, and this one. Allow us to be content in our everyday lives. Thank you for being with us.
Amen.