And here I am.
Standing Still.
In this moment.
Amidst. In the middle of … reflection
of a year gone by – the year to come.
Amidst. Surrounded by … memories that
hold sorrow and memories that hold joy.
Amidst. Between… yesterday and
tomorrow.
Amidst. In the thick of… the noise and
busyness of my thoughts.
Amidst. Throughout the course of… days
bombarded with societal unrest, division, anger, ‘wokeness’ and chaos.
Amidst. Enveloped, encircled, and covered…
ALWAYS, by the Father’s love, refuge, renewal, comfort and Presence.
In this moment…
in every moment, I’m amidst.
I posed this questions to a group of friends and answers began to pour:
“Pain – the
challenge of living with a chronic health issue that makes even the simplest of
tasks difficult; having your body rebel against you and learning to let things
go (and to do only what brings joy).
Discontent –
stagnant, emptiness that makes life feel lost – an illusion – (hoping there is
light at the end of the tunnel).”
“Finding myself
again after immense change and challenge (wanting to do so before the time to
leave this world comes – it’s a big journey, splendid, scary and surprising).”
“Inspiration –
excited to be making a piece of art for submission to a gallery!”
“Dealing with
the changing roles from being the child to caring for a parent with advanced
dementia –(I will make it no matter this storm in this stage of the cycle of
life).”
“Aging –
frustrated learning limitations (and finding there are things left to learn and
enjoy).”
“Sadness –
trying to move on from loss and let go of anger, expectations – just waking up
each day, breathing and stepping forward”.
“Loneliness –
life has become so disconnected with this pandemic.”
“Exhaustion –
work never ends; I hate the bad news and all the bad feelings everyone has.”
“Family – the
holiday season brings us from all over, we reconnect.”
“Missing
someone – holding memories ‘til we meet again.”
“A move! - overwhelmed having to let go, sort, and
start (but anticipating the next chapter).”
“Fullness – having
an adult child and family move in.
Adjusting. Enjoying.”
“Waiting – a lot hangs in the balance here.”
This moment as
I stand still with this word my spirit grasps on to several things –
I am not Amidst
alone – each of us lives life Amidst.
Perhaps there is great growth and support to be found in opening our
hearts, our experiences and needs; to reach out for strength: to give strength
as you stand still with one who’s Amidst.
It is good to
mindfully acknowledge what one finds themselves Amidst. Name it.
Then…
it is good to
purposefully seek to find and be amidst… MORE.
A quiet place to stand still amidst the chaos and the begin to breathe,
trust and abide in the Great I AM.
Father,
We are thankful
for your invitation “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some
rest (Mark 6:31). As we each find
ourselves amidst – chaos, comfort, exhaustion, loss, support, change, comfort,
anxiety, kindness, perseverance, tears, laughter – whatever it may be, assure
us. Assure us whatever else we may be
amidst, we are always and forever amidst Your presence, Your love, Your
strength, Your JOY. Assure us in a
tangible way directly or through one You may send.
Romans 8:
37-39 -In all these things we are more
than conquerors through Him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor
demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor
depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the
love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Matthew
28:20 And surely, I am with you always,
to the very end of the age.
Isaiah
40:29 He gives strength to the weary and
increases the power of the weak.
! Peter
5:7 Cast all you cares on Him, because
He cares for you.
Ecclesiastes
3:11 He has made everything beautiful in
its own time. He has also set eternity in
the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from the beginning to
the end.
Lamentation 3:
22-23 The LORD’s compassions never fail;
His mercies are new each day.
Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I am about to do something new; even now It is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness
and streams in the desert.
