The School of Still Waters – Psalm 23:2

The quarantine days look different for everyone. You can see it so vividly when you scroll through the posts on social media. Some are busy with their children, doing homeschooling for which they had little preparation. Some are relaxing on their decks while others are busy doing spring plantings. I see pictures of fresh-baked cookies put together by folks who have not baked in years, and folks like me who are finally putting together a quilt that I had intended to complete months ago.

One common thread that seems to appear often is the sense that we should be learning lessons from this imposed “rest” that we are experiencing. I want to be open to all the lessons God wants to teach me.

I thought about our verse for today, “He leads me beside still waters” and I felt a peaceful calm come over me. Just the thought of My Shepherd leading me to a safe, restful place is comforting.

I needed that comfort this morning. It was one of those mornings when some of the worries of life overwhelmed me and I cried out to the Lord, with transparency. Tears flowed as I intentionally “forgot” to do all my praising upfront like we have been taught. I should have interceded for the lost and for those who are in grief because of the deadly tornados that mercilessly hit our state last night. But, I needed the Lord…right then, before I could go any farther.

Of course, He was full of mercy and grace and He met me with the still waters of His peace. At that point, the praises came and my heart was open to the possibility of all that God wanted to do for those around me who needed Him. So, with the sound of those peaceful waters in my spirit, I cried out for others who needed to hear them as well. Sometimes we have to just be “real” with God. Our pretenses don’t get us very far when we are dealing with an omnipotent, omnipresent God who knows all and sees all. Our church talk and lofty cliches mean nothing. He wants an honest heart who longs for Him.

This morning, I also found myself in “school” with the Father as I gazed into the still waters He had just led me to. Still waters become a mirror to our soul as we stop long enough to look. We just have to take the time to actually look. Gazing deep into my heart, the Father began to gently expose places in my soul that didn’t please Him. Quietness can do that, if we will just take the time to look and listen. (Could that be the reason we like to stay so busy? It’s easier than being honest about our neediness.). And needy, we are. I need Him. I really need Him.

The Lord is so sweet to us, though. He doesn’t just expose our lack, or our selfishness, or our jaded hearts. He shows us how to be better. His grace becomes our strength so we can soar, rather than remain in our weakness.

As we shelter in place for these next few days or weeks, could we just take some time to rest by those still waters and allow our good, good Father to shepherd our hearts to a place of communion with Him; a place where we are become like little lambs, in need of someone to carry us and teach us.

This morning the Holy Spirit reminded me of this scripture as I waited along the shores of that peaceful stream of His love.

“He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:11

I pray you will feel Him carrying you very close to His heart today. And, when you see your face looking back to you from the quiet cleansing stream, look closer and you will see the Father standing right beside you. Remember you are loved. – gb