everyday grace

The In-Between Time

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

– Psalm 46:1

Normally Psalm 46 is quoted for the verse that comes late in this passage “Be still and know that I am God.” (verse 10).  And I admit it is one of my favorites — I know that God is ok with me stepping away sometimes to let Him carry it (whatever it is!)

But I think that the first verse of this chapter is the more important one…Its declarative voice makes a pure statement that just is….It isn’t contingent on us to do something.  It doesn’t require any action on my part.  ”God is our refuge and strength.”  And, I know it should be where everything starts.

If you think about it, “Be still and know that I am God” is really similar to the same charge that I have used on my children …”Just sit down and listen to me!”  (Usually there is screeching involved on my part but I don’t know how to write that!)

My kids know that I will always be there for them – no matter what.  No matter how much their world is in chaos – I will be there.  But sometimes, I have to get their attention before they will settle down enough for me to help. And sometimes, I wish they would have come to me first (like it is better to take the car to go pick up the pizza at 2 a.m. instead of waking me up….not!)

Hmmm… like my children, it is the time between knowing that He is there to help and being still long enough to ask for His help that gets me into the most trouble.  So often it is when I have chosen to just push through and “do it myself” that chaos reigns.

Don’t you hate it when the lessons you are trying to teach your kids are the ones you need to learn the most.