Holy Hush

There are seasons, and I'm thankful they aren't frequent, when I feel quiet. There are those who know me who know that if this is the case "something" must be wrong and usually that's true. Like anyone, I struggle with self doubt, regret and failure. It is a daily battle to combat the lies of satan with the truth of God's word. 

I think back over times when I've observed my very active children have moments of quiet. These times are usually secondary to a fever, exhaustion or hurt feelings. We, as moms, know just how to respond when these moments come up with our sweet babies. We can treat the fever, put them to bed early and encourage them to pray and talk it out, but in any of these scenarios if we take the time to think about it, it really helps just to hold them and sit with them. There is something special about getting to hold your child and let their bodies slump into your arms and rest. I find it to be one of my most treasured gifts of motherhood, to get to be the arms of comfort for our children. 

For me, I'm happy to do it for my kiddos, but if I'm on the receiving end, this drives my extroverted self crazy. I recall times when my sweet introverted husband attempts this with me and don't get me wrong, being held is fantastic. It's just that sometimes I need a word or two or two hundred. This difference in our personalities is one of the biggest struggles because I want to hear from him. To hear his heart and hear he's got a plan and when I've shared this desire, he winces because he tries, but it's just not something that comes naturally to him. But he does try. And he loves me. 

With my dear friends, they offer counsel, encouragement and pray with/for me. They are my "turtle shell" and hold up their "shields of faith" over me. They too, love me.

There is one place I can and need to go when I'm feeling like this and where my silence is not just good, but required and I'm shamed to say, historically I have not been great at allowing moments like these. I have too busy planning, thinking and talking and as I grow older, I'm learning to appreciate the quiet.

Psalm 131:1-2

1 My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty: I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. 2 But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with it's mother: like a weaned child I am content. 

This is written by the great king David. Amongst all the things that happened to him, through him and because of him I think it's intriguing that he "doesn't concern (himself) with great matters or things too wonderful for (him)". He was a great king and a man "after God's own heart"...and by my estimation that seems like, if anyone, he COULD concern himself with great matters and things too wonderful. 

He didn't. 

He knew exactly what he wanted and where he would find his sustenance: in God's arms. He even goes on to say he has "calmed and quieted" himself and like a "child with it's mother...he is content. Davids' quiet wasn't because of sadness or self pity or the flu...but he purposefully quieted himself so he could rest in his Lord. 

Whatever the cause for my moments of quiet, whatever the state of my life I need to calm and quiet myself and find contentment in my Jesus. His arms are strong enough to hold the heaviest of loads and yet gentle enough to comfort and reassure. We can slump into his embrace and cry. We can sit and lean our heads against his holy heart and listen in the quiet to the enormity of his love for us. He wants to be that for us. Every. Single. Day. 

Are you quiet today?

Do you need a hushed moment with Jesus amidst the busyness you create for yourself? 

Has the world overwhelmed you to the point of hiding?

Sit on the lap of Jesus. Be quiet and be loved.