More often than not, life gets in the way and we get busy and forget what’s really important. We rush around from one appointment to the next on our schedule and don’t make time to just see someone for no reason other than just seeing them. To sit in their presence and talk, laugh and relax.
This past week, my cousin and her family came in from Louisiana for Thanksgiving at my aunt’s house. So, we drove down to see them and just hang out for a while…”catch-up”…as us Southern folks like to call it. When we pulled into the driveway, the front door of the house was closed and I asked my mom, “Are you sure they are here?” She said, “yes…I called earlier and they know we are coming!” About that time, my aunt opens the front door and I see her standing behind the glass, watching us as we get out of the car and walk up to the house. Now, as long as I can remember…going back as far as my childhood, she has done this when we have came over to her house.
I never thought anything about it until this past Wednesday afternoon when I got out of the car. I’m not quite sure why, but I was prompted to take a picture of her standing there. For those that know my aunt, she does NOT like having her picture made. She even said to me as I was walking up the porch steps, “You better not be taking my picture!”
As I snapped the picture, the Holy Spirit whispered to me, “that’s just like me, Ashlee.” I’m always standing here waiting on you to come in and sit down with me. No need to call ahead and make sure I am where you need me to be…I am always there. I am an ever-present help in your time of need or trouble. Take pictures in your mind of my faithfulness and goodness. Think fondly of these things…remember them.
Fast forward to this morning, when one word from our sermon spoke to my heart.
Selah.
It is a break in singing between the verses in a psalm…a rest…a pause for contemplation. In the beginning of Psalm 3, David is fretting over the ten thousands that are pursuing him…yet after pausing to rest and reflect on that singing, he comes back and says he will pursue God! He will rest in Him! He rested on His promises and He even laid down and went to sleep because He knew God was watching over Him.
Rest.
I have found in myself, I have a hard time just resting physically….sometimes even spiritually. But this past week and into this morning, I have been reminded to not get so busy with the things of life that we miss physical rest or spiritual rest in our Heavenly Father. I was sort of forced to rest with the holidays and it refreshed my soul! He has so many blessings to share with us through His Word and through others that we miss because we are just too busy with the stubble of this world!
Hitting the pause button in life allows us to see the presence and hear the voice of God so much more clearly. He is standing at the door and waiting on you to come in and rest in Him.
Sit in His presence.
Selah.
