Update #95

“Be still. And know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

San Jose Rose Garden

On Tuesday night I had a prayer meeting at my home. There were four of us. I had had a super busy day and felt like Tigger from Winnie the Pooh on the inside - I couldn’t calm down, my brain was on warp speed, I was fidgety, and I couldn’t focus. I had a lot of joy, but no peace. Not a good combination at an intercession meeting.

I put on a worship CD and the four of us “soaked” – we let the music roll over us, around us, internalized the words and meditated on them. To an outsider we looked like a slumber party with the lights on…we were laying on the floor, the couch, reclined in a chair with our eyes closed and without conversation.

Eight or so songs later my spirit, soul and body were finally still. I was relaxed. I was so relaxed I felt a bit tipsy – like the head rush you get when you stand up after a hot bath. It felt great; warm, calm and peace-filled.

I was in God’s presence.

I thought about this later. I wasn’t doing anything. I wasn’t serving, ministering, reading, examining, or digging at some great truth – I was just being. I was lying on the floor as the music washed over me. In a way I was worshipping God – not through action or deed, but through stillness.

When I was a little girl I had a friend who was on the quieter, more reflective side. I remember sitting on the floor dressing our dolls and Barbies, swinging on the swings in the backyard or walking through the woods behind my house with hardly a word being said. It wasn’t painful or uncomfortable - I was content in the presence of my friend.

I think it can be like this with God too. He just wants to be with us; to be near. Words, directives, secrets aren’t always exchanged. Sometimes presence is the agenda. God isn’t in a hurry. He wants to sit and enjoy you, your company, your companionship.

Our society isn’t geared for meditation, reflection and “soaking.” In the world of microwaves, Mc Donalds, and YouTube clips if it isn’t fast, frantic and attention grabbing it dies a quick death.

My question are these…Is God worth slowing down for? Is God worth taking the time to be still and getting to know him? What benefit do we get if we do? More importantly, what happens if we don’t? What joy, what peace, what assurance are we missing? What secrets does he have to share that we aren’t slowing down enough to capture?

I would love to feel the way I felt Tuesday night all the time – who wouldn’t want to be relaxed, calm and peace-filled? The only way I know how to get that feeling without drowning myself in alcohol and suffering a hangover in the morning is through God – he gives the ultimate relaxation without the after-morning regret.

Updates:
Living – My condo in Redmond, WA is still for sale. My realtor has had several open houses but no interest yet. The pending 42.5K assessment hasn’t started yet so I am “safe” for now. http://www.michaelmenin.com/ (view my listings) – it’s the “Sammamish River” one.
Work – Training has finished and we are prepping for travel. Two teams leave the first week of June. We have a new employee! Gareth is looking after our IT stuff for the next year (thank God!).
Health – My ankle is feeling so much better – thanks for praying. I have even been wearing “cute” shoes AND, for the first time in years, I am able to dance one night a week! I forgot how much pleasure I get from swing dancing!
Social – The wedding I helped with went phenomenally well – thanks for praying. Several of the hotel staff asked me for my wedding coordination business card to pass onto other brides…ha! That was a high compliment but I was so tired afterward I don’t know if I could do it for a living.

Requests:
Work – We are looking for a new training lead to manage the upcoming training cycle beginning July 22nd
Travel – that I find a sweet deal on an air ticket from San Francisco to Jakarta.
Finances - If you would like to sow into what I am doing see the footer info at http://www.denaandrews.blogstpot.com/ or contribute at http://www.repurposing.biz/ for more information.