A few Saturdays ago, I paused to sit and watch the sun come up at the edge of my hometown. (Yes - the temperature was a chill 26 degrees, brisk--but I'm a South Dakota girl at heart.) I sat in God's presence, enjoying the sunrise He painted. I didn't really talk to Him, and He didn't really talk to me. I just sat there--watching the sun come up, watching the sky change colors, watching the cows do what they do in the morning (which is nothing; they constantly graze), watching the world wake up--or my side of the world--in the presence of the Almighty. Like an old friend who doesn't require anything from us, we just sat there quietly enjoying the silence of the morning.
Be still, and know I am God. Psalm 46:10
In the periphery, were all of the things that I wasn't talking to God about. That's not what this moment was about. All of the hurts and heartaches that haven't mended, all of the things I have done that hurt other people, all of the broken and unmended relationships waiting for repair, forgiveness, or letting go sat outside of this moment. In that moment, I just took time to be still in the presence of the Lord, to appreciate the glory of things He has done in the world and in my life.
I would like to say something profound happened in those moments, like an angel of the Lord spoke to me or a burning bush appeared--but nothing quite as earthshaking or as dramatic as that.
But something did happen. I spent time in the presence of God.
The change in me probably isn't immediately visible to other people, but I felt the presence of God. I realized in that moment despite all of the thoughts about what I could be doing, I was choosing this moment to be still and spend time with God--before all of the things encroached on my day, before all of the stresses and pressures of people demanded my time and energy, I took these first moments to just be present and appreciate God's glory.
I watched the sun breach the horizon.
The rays, breaking through the clouds in the east,
lined the horizon with a silver lining
so brilliant my eyes stung.
The colors of the sky shifted
from a deep black-dyed blue to a softer blue
with hues of lavender, peach, pink, and yellow.
I cried with the beauty of the sunrise
and prayed thanks to God
for gifting this moment to me.
My return to life matters is a picking-up from where I left off with the start of any normal day and things each day throws my way, but I just keep thinking about that sunrise, the hope of each new day, and all of the things I have to be grateful for. Sure, grand miracles are cool, and God can do them, but He's also in the small stuff. I'm beginning to realize that even after believing in God for 50 years, I won't know what I have gained until I let go of what I have lost. I am still learning to do hard things. God is still teaching me to be diligent, intentional, purposeful, committed, praiseful, grateful, and forgiving. . . and patience. Most of all, patience. And maybe to take a moment to be still and appreciate what God has done.
Today, I am grateful for small moments that contain God's blessings.
Psalm 46, King James Version
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved:
God shall help her, and that right early.
6The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved:
He uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Selah.
8Come, behold the works of the LORD,
What desolations he hath made in the earth.
9He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth;
He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariot in the fire.
10Be still, and know that I am God:
I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Selah.
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Michelle
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