I woke up with too much clutter in my mind, so I stepped outside to pause and listen. He keeps in perfect peace the one whose mind is stayed on Him, because she trusts Him, (Isaiah 26:3). Yes, Lord, I trust You.
Sometimes “staying” requires “getting up and going,” changing the view, changing perspective to gain perspective. Then, slowing down with a long exhale. A stayed mind is a still mind. He whispers, “Peace, be still,” (Mark 4:39).
I hear His strong voice again, “Be still, and know that I am God,” (Psalm 46:10). Steady, Beloved. Breathe and know. Be still and know Me.
I linger there in the stillness, with Him — the Maker of my heart and soul. A small poem is born, and He leads the way to more:
In quiet moments I wait, anticipating Evidence of spring
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
Isaiah 43:19
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
I love when the Lord asks me a question — “Do you not perceive it?” Holy God engages with me, invites me to pause and ponder, to contemplate and reason together with Him.
As I consider the question I notice the cool grass between my toes, the firm ground under my feet. Steady, He whispers. See, He urges.
My eyes scan my surroundings. I am surprised to realize my amaryllis have sent up shoots, preparing to bloom. A knowing smile tugs at the corners of my mouth, as I look forward to the day they will break open like scarlet trumpets announcing the birth of spring.
I walk a little further toward the dead-gray limbs of my crepe myrtles. “Wake up,” I say to drowsy trees. And that’s when I see the first signs of new life on branches of dry bone. Tiny green growth greets me. A small gasp escapes my lips.
Yes, Lord, I see! I feel the evidence of long awaited spring, a subtle flutter in the wilderness-wasteland of my heart; it grows, it swells into a burgeoning wave!
My deep need calls out to Your deep kindness! (Psalm 42:7)
I cry out to my own soul: Wake up, sleepy-headed lion! It’s time to roar!
At long last, I’m breathing again. I’m coming back to life!
God who makes a way, You are making a way in my heart! And You get all my praise!
My friend, if you, too, are passing by this way, through the Valley of Weeping (see Psalm 84:6), we are walking a well-worn path. Our Savior, Jesus, has gone before us. He is doing a new thing in our hearts, clearing paths, making a way through the wilderness of grief. Take it slow, friend. Expect delays — there is road work ahead. Allow grief its time. God works through it to position broken hearts right up next to His, (Psalm 34:18). His heart is gentle, and it’s the one place where grieving souls find rest, (Matthew 11:29).
