One thing God has taught me in this pandemic is nothing in our earthly life is guaranteed (It never has been, I know.) And for this reason, I need to enjoy and savor every moment. That’s a big assignment but pausing in as many moments as I can makes it doable.

Reminding myself of Scripture helps me be in the moment, calm my worries, and breathe in more deeply the presence of God. It might be just a verse or two or it may be a lesson I learned in my morning time in the Word. Whatever it is, God uses it to speak to the need in my heart.

This morning that Scripture was Psalm 46—especially verses 1-2, 10.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea . . .

Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!

 

I thought–Why did God remind us that He is God and why right after He told us to be still? What does it mean to know that God is God? His characteristics came to mind. God never changes. His character is always the same so I can always count on His—

Love

Sovereignty

Patience

Kindness

Goodness

Care for me.

I am reminded that all He does is for His glory and our good.

 

These things renew my hope that God has this time in human history well under control. It is not my job to understand it. God asks me to trust Him. To be still and know that He has me, my family, all of us.

God wants me to come to Him for strength, help, comfort, and guidance. And He will be there for me. And then I need to continue to be on the lookout for His answers—how He works in my life, my heart, my family, everywhere.

It is easy to let the noise of the day drown out the truth I read in the morning. But God’s truth remains true no matter what anyone else says or does. That’s why I need to preach it to myself throughout the day.

In the preaching of truth to myself, I am in the still moments and I see and savor the gifts from God in front of me—

A beautiful summer day

Good coffee

The thrill of Grand #1 catching his first tiny frog

The sound of my girls’ voices on the phone

Quiet

Grand #2’s excited scream when he sees geese in the backyard

The cleverness of Gene’s “Dad joke”

The list goes on all day.

And enjoying these gifts bring me full circle back to being still and knowing He is God.

Brenda Garrison is an author and speaker who empowers women with the confidence to live their calling. Brenda is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ministry Leadership with a Concentration in Women’s Ministry at Moody Bible Institute. She and her husband, Gene, are the parents of three young adult daughters and live near Metamora, IL.