WILD Devotional
One of my favorite verses of all time is, “Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10
I have loved this verse from my early teen years. As I have reflected back on my formative years I realize how God was with me during very unpredictable times. My parents’ violent divorce, my mother’s drug addiction, and the loss of my eldest sibling at age 4 (she was 6). I can still remember where I was, which street I was on when I was told my sister would never be my sister again. Dead… what did dead, hit by a car mean? I had no context to understand it. I only understood that I’d never have my sister come home. There were only feelings… lots of BIG feelings. My throat swelled, my eyes watered, and I felt I could not breath.
Over time, I adjusted to being the only child, Mom thankfully flushed her pills down the toilet, and purchased a Bible. We started to read about where my sister Karrie might be. I learned the Lord’s prayer, we started attending church, and my mom married a wonderful, Christian man.
In the second grade I was invited up to an alter call at school chapel. I remember them asking if anyone wanted to have Jesus come live in their heart and be their best friend. I raised my hand, wanting to be picked so bad, to have HIM choose me and to live in my heart. I knew HE existed, I knew HE was real, because I knew my sister lived with Him and I would too, someday. God was always beautiful to me, a safe haven, a place of refuge, and PEACE.
Since I experienced loss early I have known how valuable life is and the people in it. I longed to be close and connected to God, and to find refuge in Him (in the shadow of his wings) during the challenging AND beautiful times.
I have continued to practice being in this special place of safety with Jesus to this day. I breathe and rest in him, take moments of Sabbath each week to hike, pray, ride a bike, go for a run, walk on the beach, or spend time with the people I treasure in this life. In the art of stopping this fast-paced life, I sense his nearness most. When I slow down the pace of my life and enjoy being still, He speaks most clear and is most near. I breathe deep and am still before HIM.
Lord, please give us limits, boundaries, and the ability to manage our schedules to make time for resting in our daily life. Thank you that you can reveal to each of us how and where in our busy schedules to slow down and be still in Your presence and enjoy being filled up, loved on by our Abba Father.
Susan Martinez Lee is a mother of five and has been married to Jimmy and living in Ventura for 21 years. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. The Lees are passionate about foster care and supporting other foster parents. They coach the cross country team at City Christian School where their son attends and they serve actively at Ventura Campus of The City Church.
beautifulstoriesdotblog.wordpress.com 