I see it most Sundays during worship and it makes me smile—parents giving their little ones the look…

Be still. Pay attention, or else. 

How I remember the days of three squirming, wiggling little girls! Lord, if they would just be still and quiet…

I’ll never forget a Sunday evening when one daughter did get still and quiet—and nodded off, hitting her head on the back of the pew loud enough to make me emit a little squeal. Answered prayer? Hmm….

Our little ones may be wiggly on the outside, but as grown-ups, we tend to do our wiggling on the inside. Our outer appearance may be pristine but on the inside our thoughts and focus may be all over the place: What time is it? Where are we going to lunch after the service? I can’t believe I wore this dress…I hope no one notices that I’ve worn it twice in a row. Who in the world is kicking my pew…?

I wonder if our Lord gives us “the look,” wishing we would just settle down and be still in His presence.

And it’s not just a Sunday morning problem. The wiggly-ness tends to creep into our everyday schedules, crowding out our Lord’s voice:

“Let’s go everyone, we’re leaving in five minutes. Where in the world are my keys?”
Be still…
“I’ll be late tonight, honey. I have to finish these reports…”
Be still…
“Sure, I can serve on that committee. I’m not doing anything on Thursdays…”
Be still…
“Four dozen cupcakes? Um, sure…”
Be still…
“Why am I so tired? Maybe I should carve out at least one night at home this week…”
Be still…
“I can’t remember the last time I picked up my Bible…”

Be still, be still, be still…
And know…
That I…Am God.

Are there any “wiggles” that we need to bring before the Lord today?

 Father, please convict my heart to be still and quiet before You. May the craziness of life never become so noisy that I fail to hear Your precious voice. Thank you for calling me into peace and stillness with You.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 

Psalm 46:10 (NIV)