In the Quiet

Butterflies are fun to watch but not so easy to photograph. That is where patience and stillness come into play.

To get this picture i had to sit for some time and make very little movement. In time the butterflies came around-attracted by a small puddle of water. I was practically holding my breath the whole time, making every effort to make as little sound as possible. It was only after they had gotten comfortable and frolicked for a while that i started taking pictures.

As you can see, the effort paid off.

This is true of my quiet time in the mornings as well. It isn't always easy to get up in the morning while everyone else is still sleeping, even more difficult when i haven't slept so well the night before or have a big day ahead. But it is always worth it!

It is not always easy to sit quietly and put away distractions long enough to sit and listen to God. But when i am still it is much easier to hear God when He speaks and it is so worth the effort.

The more time i spend quietly with God the more my faith grows and the more my faith grows the more my patience grows. With this growth comes the eagerness to get up in the morning and spend time with the Lover of my soul. After my time with Him i am much better equipped to face the day and handle whatever comes my way because i have invited my Lord to spend the day with me. I realize i can not make it without Him.

It is also in the quiet moments throughout the day that He continues to teach me-like those moments when i am watching butterflies!

A Prayer for Restoration

Where is my faith? Where is my peace? Where is my joy? And where is my hope? All i really want, all i truly need can only be found in You. Apart from You i have no faith, no peace, no joy and i have no hope.

Why am i so fearful? Troubled? Downcast? Why do i feel so anxious?

Instead of running to You i find myself running from You.

I ask myself why i do this when i know that anything i put before You will only rob me of my joy and steal my peace. You want to restore these things to me and revive in me a calm heart and quiet spirit.

Still i find myself running...running away from You.

All i have to do is call Your name and You are there but the distractions are too much for me to bear. I wasn't meant to bear them alone but i keep trying...and it is a losing battle and i know it.

Finally i find myself, weary from the struggle. So tired of doing on my own-only to fail again.

Lord, i am calling on You now. My voice is weak but i know You hear me just the same.

Please lift me from this pit i have dug for myself and put my feet back on solid ground.

I need You, Lord. The battle is Yours and i am Yours too.

Be Still

"Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46:10

This picture of Rachel and Brogan is one of my absolute favorites. It was taken soon after we moved here and we were exploring the area.

What i love about this photograph is that they are both being still and they are not posing for the camera as they usually do. It is as if they are lost in the moment and just enjoying the beauty that surrounds them.

Every time i see this i am reminded of Psalm 46:10. The words, "Be still", speak boldly to me.

How is it that seems so simple can be so difficult for me to practice? Even when the house is quiet and no one else is around i busy myself with mindless chores that really don't have to be done but the thought of being still and listening gets me thinking of activity i could be doing. Busyness is something i know all too well. Stillness and quietness...not so well.

I am praying God will change this about me.