"Be Still..."

I have a lot of things going on in my head right now, which can be a scary thought (ha!). No, I've been learning a lot. There are so many things I want to share/write. But, I think I'm going to write about something that I've been learning about for the past year. Truly, I'm still learning it. I guess I am a slow learner.
One of my favorite Bible verses is: "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10
I want to emphasize the beginning of that verse. "Be still..." Now, I'm not a momma, but I am a teacher. There have been times, many in fact, that I have told my students to "be still." It is hard for people to be still. It is hard, by nature, for us to sit or stand without fidgeting. It is hard for me to physically be still.
In thinking of that, it is hard for us (people) to "be still." In thinking of being still, I relate that to trusting God. As I've mentioned in previous posts, God has allowed me to go through something (a trial) for the past year of my life. During this year, it hasn't been easy; however, I have learned many things, and I'm still learning.
One of the main things I've learned is to fully trust God and to wait for Him. It is so hard for people to wait on God. Like I said previously, it is hard to "be still", especially for women. Several months ago (at the beginning of the school year) I was on the phone with one of my school parents. Her daughter is new to our school this year. She was struggling. The mom was stressed because of it. She told me, " I have to be still. If I'm not still, I'm not trusting God." I was like, "Wow!" I thanked her so much for that comment. I haven't forgotten that, and I may never forget that. I told her that I needed it, but I didn't explain the situation on why I needed that. But, that is so true! If we aren't still and if we "help" God, it is us not trusting God. We think we can do better. I know that is not true!... at least for me.
Like I said before, being still is hard. It is hard for children and us. But, wait, we are God's children. We are in His hands. He knows what is best. Not only does He know what is best, He knows when is best. What a blessing! To go along with that thought, this summer my Pastor said something in one of his sermons that I don't think I'll forget, either. I cannot remember his message, but I remember what that one sentence was. It was, "God is punctual!"
So, to me the verse, "Be still, and know that I am God" and the sentence "God is punctual" are great reminders for us to just wait and trust the Lord. He is in control of all--- our happiness and our sadness.
So, do you have a hard time "being still?" If you do, you aren't alone! Remember, you can go to God any time. That, truly, has been the greatest blessing in my life during this trial He has given me, which has helped me to "learn to lean on God's arms."

"He is not here: for he is risen,..."

My favorite holiday is Easter or Resurrection Sunday, which is what I like to call it. I've always loved this time of year. I love celebrating Resurrection Sunday. Usually when people talk about their favorite holidays, most of the time it is Christmas. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Christmas, too. Of course you have secular things about holidays that make each holiday fun and enjoyable. Christmas has presents. Who does not like to receive presents? Easter has egg hunts and candy. Come on, who doesn't like candy? In fact, my favorite candy EVER comes out only during Easter time.
Today, I was exercising (walking my neighborhood with my dog). I love walking because, honestly, that is a time when I do my deepest thinking and praying. Today as I was walking, it came to my head that this day over two thousand years ago Jesus was dead; He was buried. He was in the tomb. I am so thankful that the story does not end there. On the third day He rose again.
I want to share with you one of my favorite passages: "And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." Matthew 28:5-6
I, obviously, believe that the Bible is true. John 17:17b says, "....thy word is truth." So, I rejoice in the fact, the truth, that Jesus is no longer in the tomb, but He indeed has risen from the dead.
You see, Christmas is a great holiday. It celebrates the birth of Jesus. I'm not a parent, but I know when a family has a child they have the child to rear, to love, and for the child to be a part of their family and to have a happy life. No parent has ever had a child so the child could die. However, God the Father sent His Son to be born so that He could die, so that we could have eternal life. How amazing! How loving!
Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, and Easter (Resurrection Sunday) celebrates the death of Jesus and HIS resurrection. God loves us so much that He made a way for us to go to Heaven. The way is through His Son Jesus Christ. John 14:6 says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
I am so thankful that Jesus died for me, but it didn't stop there. If He was still in the tomb, He would be no different than any other person. But, Jesus rose again. He is ALIVE!! Praise the Lord! Because of His resurrection, I can have eternal life.
That is the true meaning of Resurrection Sunday. That is why I love it so much. Like I said previously, this day over two thousand years ago Jesus was dead and in the tomb. However, over two thousand years ago tomorrow Jesus rose again. He is risen! He is alive! Let's praise the Lord for His resurrection.
If you have questions about what I've shared and what has been on my mind and on my heart, please feel free to leave me a comment. I would love to help in any way that I can. I share things that I have been learning or reminded of recently. If I can be a blessing to anyone, I would love to be. I love the fact that I can "lean on God's arms." Of course, I can only do that because He died for me and rose again for me. He did that for you, too. It comes full circle, doesn't it? We have an amazing God!