Do We See Them or Are We Caught in the Frenzy?
COLORED EGGS OF EVERY HUE lay scattered over the green expanse of lawn before us. Our daughters stood behind a stretch of rope along with hundreds of other children from town, waiting for the start of the event. This was the local Easter egg hunt, and all the children were excited in anticipation of finding as many goodies as they could.
When the signal was given and the rope dropped, the children stampeded into the center of the field—all except for one—our six-year-old daughter Julie. While hordes of children scrambled over the field looking for eggs, Julie took a single step and picked up an Easter egg lying just inside the ropes, directly in front of her. Then she continued into the field, picking up eggs as she went—ones passed up by the other children as they had hurried together towards the treasures they spied beyond.
My husband and I chuckled, amused and proud at the wisdom of our little girl.
Today as I think back on that day and picture my daughter standing alone at the edge of the field to take advantage of the treasures at her feet, it makes me think.
How many times am I like that throng of children racing into the center of the field, looking for something to enrich my life, while missing the very special blessings God has put right before me in that moment? Have I really seen—and appreciated—the beauty of flowers blooming and birds singing, the richness of a special relationship in my life, or the provision of daily sustenance needed for that day? Have I seen the beauty of what lies right in front of me?
Yesterday, as I tried to unscramble a colossal mess of conflicting schedules I had created for myself because of too much busyness, I heard that still small voice in my heart whispering from the Word. “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) As those words of truth settled over me, I realized that if I brought my confusion to God and put it into His hands He would sort it out. After all, He’s omnipotent. He knows what’s happening. And, in fact, He knew about the mess I’d made before I found out about it.
And so I sat down with His Word and allowed Him to put His peace into my heart. And as my mind stopped racing in “fix it” mode, I could see that His plans were not my own. His agenda was different. I let some things go, and everything fell into place.
Sometimes when we’re in a frenzy to figure things out and solve our problems, God asks us to just ”Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) When our hearts and minds are quiet before Him, we’re better able to listen for His voice and hear when He wants to point us in a new direction. When we wait on Him, our eyes can refocus so they can see with more clarity the path He’s laying out before us.
Who knows? His provision might be right in front of us. But we haven’t been able to see it because we’re so intent on trying to reach the “Easter eggs” in the distance.
During this holy Easter week, quiet your mind and allow yourself to fully see the God who loves you so much that He was willing to walk the dark path of death so we can be with Him in life. Take some time out from your busy schedule. Stop wrestling with the worries that hold you hostage. Be still and know that He is God.
Came in looking for today’s devotional and didn’t realize I missed it last week! Thank you for this devotional as it was clearly what I needed to be reminded of today !!! As always- Thank you Linda!
My husband went through with a divorce, trying to not face me with his demons haunting him from his past, but God put my son in his path. My son threatened suicide and he had to go down to bring him home, a home he move out of 2 years ago and has pretty much given me no choice but to sell. And my youngest will be home from college, too. Another daughter and her nearly fiance moved in with me when he left. Now he has to think about displacing all of us. And he has to help my son get follow up counseling when he himself won’t admit he needs counseling, too. I have to let God do his work on them both now. I have to trust and pray that all is happening for a reason.
I’m so sorry to hear this about your son. Divorce is so hard on the children. I’m praying for your family. Recently, a woman who went through a divorce and a later reconciliation told me that during that chaotic time she gathered her children around her and prayed with them, telling them they could trust God and that He would help them through it. They all remained strong together and a couple of years later were able to rejoice when they reconciled. Hold your children close and let them see your faith in God . . . not necessarily that you’ll reconcile, but that God will help them through it.
Thank you for your wise words!