Still Waters.

Mr. Sandy Toes found a book of mine that I don't EVER remember buying or reading. I don't know if it was in a box down the basement or lost in a pocket of an old suitcase. I picked up the book and began to read it. I must be honest that as I started reading. It was penetrating to my soul. I kinda didn't like it too much! I have put it down several times because she does not mince her words.

It's called "Quiet Places for Women's Soul" {a personal retreat}.

Her first chapter is on a Busyness. She writes...

Busyness lends a false sense of importance to our days. If we're busy, we rationalize, we must be valuable. Being needed by husband, children, school, job or church-is far more comfortable than facing the gaunt emptiness of our own souls. The perpetual churning thinly covers the lack of meaning, shielding us for our fear of nothingness. It also substitutes our waiting on God. Afraid of saying no to the wrong things, we feel compelled to yes to everything.

In the book, she points out how many times God uses the word "rest" or "finding rest for your soul". What a great reminder and also a tough thing to swallow all together. In Jeremiah 6:16, "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk it it; And you shall find rest for your souls."

Rest.

It is hard to do. She continues on and says...

No one has the time to listen, let alone love. Our children lie wounded on the ground, run over by our high speed good intentions. Doesn't God lead His people beside the still waters?

So good! But, very hard to apply. I think if we are honest with ourselves. Silence, stillness and quietness...can scare us. It begins to expose the things we didn't see or don't want to see. A great example our are kids...

When we are shuttling them to one event after another, we don't see the "heart" issues as much. There is not enough time to see it. But, keep your kids home for a couple of days of doing nothing and quickly you see that you have some work to do in the "training" section. The heart issues that have always been there are exposed more.

This is not only with kids but also other relationships like husband and wife or just ourselves.

How do you find "rest"? Do find times in your week to stand by the still waters?