"Be still, and know that I am God". Psalm 46:10
I'll admit that I have adult Attention Deficit Disorder. I am not good at sitting still which makes me really good at teaching little ones, because they aren't usually good at sitting still either. When I worked in a medical office, it was quite common to see me standing up to type in a patient's registration information. I am infamous for starting projects and never finishing them; my craft basket at this moment, has three cross-stitch patterns that are half sewn, a shawl that I began to crochet for my grandma for Christmas two years ago, a Tupperware bowl full of beads that I bought, planning to make matching necklaces and earrings to match several pantsuits.
Several weeks ago, as I sat in front of the computer, trying to write a devotional, God whispered..."Wait". And in my usual Paula-ness, I began to argue. "But God, you told me to write. Remember the conversations we had two years ago? I didn't WANT to do this, and you told me to write. Now you're telling me NOT to do it anymore? I don't think so!"
And so, I tried to do it anyway. Anyone been with me here? The end results were disastrous. They sounded stilted and thrown together, and very uninspiring. And that was the ones I could manage to finish. And then God would whisper to my heart. "Wait".
I would read my bible, and think Wow! Those are awesome verses to write a devotion with. But when I tried, I got nothing. "Wait", came that voice in my head again. And so, I waited. I kept reading, kept studying and kept praying. Days turned into weeks and people began to ask if there was something wrong. All I could say was "I'm waiting on God."
Several years ago, Steven Curtis Chapman wrote a praise chorus to the above mentioned verse. Today, I have hummed the chorus all day long. My friend Jessie heard me humming, and before long, there were half a dozen of us singing it. And suddenly, I realized this was what God had been trying to tell me.
Almost as soon as the thought passed through me, God whispered. "Now you can write." This entire time, God has been molding me, changing me, preparing me for the next phase of my writing. I just had to be still long enough to hear what He had to say.
I'll admit that I have adult Attention Deficit Disorder. I am not good at sitting still which makes me really good at teaching little ones, because they aren't usually good at sitting still either. When I worked in a medical office, it was quite common to see me standing up to type in a patient's registration information. I am infamous for starting projects and never finishing them; my craft basket at this moment, has three cross-stitch patterns that are half sewn, a shawl that I began to crochet for my grandma for Christmas two years ago, a Tupperware bowl full of beads that I bought, planning to make matching necklaces and earrings to match several pantsuits.
Several weeks ago, as I sat in front of the computer, trying to write a devotional, God whispered..."Wait". And in my usual Paula-ness, I began to argue. "But God, you told me to write. Remember the conversations we had two years ago? I didn't WANT to do this, and you told me to write. Now you're telling me NOT to do it anymore? I don't think so!"
And so, I tried to do it anyway. Anyone been with me here? The end results were disastrous. They sounded stilted and thrown together, and very uninspiring. And that was the ones I could manage to finish. And then God would whisper to my heart. "Wait".
I would read my bible, and think Wow! Those are awesome verses to write a devotion with. But when I tried, I got nothing. "Wait", came that voice in my head again. And so, I waited. I kept reading, kept studying and kept praying. Days turned into weeks and people began to ask if there was something wrong. All I could say was "I'm waiting on God."
Several years ago, Steven Curtis Chapman wrote a praise chorus to the above mentioned verse. Today, I have hummed the chorus all day long. My friend Jessie heard me humming, and before long, there were half a dozen of us singing it. And suddenly, I realized this was what God had been trying to tell me.
Almost as soon as the thought passed through me, God whispered. "Now you can write." This entire time, God has been molding me, changing me, preparing me for the next phase of my writing. I just had to be still long enough to hear what He had to say.
Published by Paula Carpenter
Married to Mike since 1986~~we have 3 grown children out on their own, the only one left at home is the dog~ I'm a pastor's wife who loves to write, sit on my patio and watch the geese on the lake. I love R... View profile
God is Still ThereNeighbors coming together during a major disaster.- We Can't Understand GodOur language fails to adequately describe God, leaving us grasping for comprehension. Though it seems troubling, this should be a source of great comfort.
- Our Want is Only for LackWe have not because we ask not. God is inviting each of us today - right now - to seek Him to show Himself strong on our behalf.
- Ten Things to Know About GodThis is in no way the only things that we need to know or an exhaustive attempt to pin down the most important things to know about God.
- Having Faith in God when it All Falls ApartIs it wrong for someone to believe in God, even when terrible things are happening to him or her? Yes! It is biblical.
- Is There a God?
- Be Still and Know
- Of Being Still
- Suffering - Storms of Correction and Storms of Perfection
- Why Does God Allow Suffering?
- A Broken Heart (Weariness and Exhaustion)
- Religion and Spiritual Peace

3 Comments
Post a CommentI am not patient. AT ALL
oh this is so nice thanks!
Wonderful reflection.