STILL

 Still

In the still of the night they came

as a hush lay over the land;

silently they’ll surprise, though not motionless,

causing more work tomorrow for many of us

and fun for some of you -

rather young or old, it’s true.

They came fluttering,

a silent spiraling,

orbiting round and round

then lay still on the ground

silent, their journey ending,

though employment is pending.

A frozen orb caused this fuss,

though it creates a hush,

in the meadows and woodlands,

the countryside, towns, and lawns

as it falls silent and still

while stirring up a chill.

Silent, yet sparkling, yes effervescent, before becoming still,

then children in multi-colored snowsuits and mittens spill

dispelling the quiet born

from these orbs cold and frozen.

Laughter fills the air

from children playing there.

The stillness of the landscape becomes tracked

as snowmen appear from snowballs packed.

These snowmen, still, like guards

made from snow packed hard

survey the snowflakes that descend

from someplace up in the heavens.

Other people get out the shovels,

or noisy snowplows and blowers,

interrupting the still silence

as they seek to keep their balance,

though they might not giggle and laugh

as they work at scooping out a path.

However you view

this cold, still view

a photograph – a still,

will freeze this moment, it will,

of snowflakes falling...

still, silent, calming.

And still they come with a certain solace

as they flutter down from outer space

a serene,

tranquil scene,

silent and still now,

though cold – and how.

Still...they lie after their journey,

still...they come every January,

still...the hush heard in February,

still...to some quite contrary.

Now lying still...

through tomorrow...still.

* * * * *

Our lives are rarely still.

We tend to make ourselves ill

with busyness from sunup to sundown

all around our homes and even around town.

Ill as in physically drained

or even emotionally drained

for we take care of everything,

but sometimes forfeit one thing.

That one thing is time with the Lord.

Where we should go to be safely moored.

Where peace is found despite difficulties.

When God enables with grace, plenty.

God desires that we learn to be still.

To hear from Him we need to be still

for God speaks to us in a still, small voice

which surely gives us reason to rejoice.

His voice gives us comfort and hope,

gives us direction when we can’t cope,

brings us peace in the midst of our troubles,

making our impossible possible.

Be still and know that God is the Lord

who longs to carry your heavy load.

Don’t make yourself ill.

Learn tranquility and be still.

Be still, and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10

...a still, small voice...

Then a voice said...”What are you doing...”?

I Kings 19:12 (KJV/NIV)

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you...

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

My grace is sufficient for you.

II Corinthians 12:9

Cast all your anxiety on him,

for he cares for you.

I Peter 5:7

Here’s a short devotional I wrote in 2019 which goes along with I Peter 5:7:

In reading a devotional today, it emphasized how we tend to control our circumstances by coming up with possible solutions in our mind to the problems we’re facing instead of first going to God with our heartache. This devotional did not state “casting your cares” as an example, but that verse came to mind. My note to myself: GIVE TO GOD WHAT WEIGHS YOU DOWN!

And was reminded of Matthew 6 where Jesus states: Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? YES, you are much more valuable than you realize! God already has the solution to your situation. As God provides for the birds daily, He will also provide for you, who is His beloved. GIVE TO GOD WHAT WEIGHS YOU DOWN.

Giving your heartache to God, versus stewing over possible human solutions, may just provide an answer from God sooner vs later. Though if the answer comes later, God intended to use that period of waiting to grow your faith and trust. GIVE TO GOD WHAT WEIGHS YOU DOWN.

Cheerio-o-o (which means Godspeed).

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