“SON”
Delays
By Karen D’Amore
“Be still, and know
that I am God…”
Psalm
46: 10a (NIV)
When
unexpected circumstances left us suddenly shorthanded, my work schedule was
forced into over-drive...life accelerated at a constant speed of BUSY! Busyness
perpetuated busyness as social events and commitments eventually mimicked my
work schedule. Ultimately, that daunting schedule took its toll on me and my
spirit descended into a constant flux of irritability and weariness.
One
morning, while getting ready for work, a comment on the morning news caught my
attention. The newscaster covering the morning traffic used a term that was
unfamiliar and slightly comical to me. He warned early morning commuters to
expect traffic slowdowns due to “sun delays.” With the brightness and position
of the early morning sun blinding and impairing vision, drivers were forced to
“slow down.” Video footage of local
interstates showed traffic snarled and crawling to a stop due to impairment
caused by the sun.
I
had never heard the term “sun delay” nor have I heard it since. However, I realized
that I desperately needed a “SON
delay.” In my busyness, I had neglected to slow down and fix my eyes on the SON of God.
I
streamlined my schedule and carved out intimate time for Jesus. To reserve quiet
time, I recorded “SON Delay” time blocks in my day timer. Now, as I look at my
schedule, I’m reminded to slow down and fix my eyes on the Son! Becoming intentional
at setting aside intimate time to “be still” and sit at the Lord’s feet has prevented
my schedule from becoming overrun with busyness.
Living
in the woods affords me the ultimate habitat for being still before God. The
breathtaking landscape draws me to see His fingerprints in every corner of my
serene surroundings. As sitting outside draws me into a constant battle with
the blinding sun, I continue to work on being solely focused on the Son! By allowing
Him to consume my focus, Jesus impairs my ability to see anything other than
Him. And once I began to experience God, in those moments of stillness, my
spirit of irritability and weariness was refreshed and replenished with peace.
God’s invitation to “be still” unlocks the
joy of knowing Him. It allows Him to fill the reservoirs of our soul with true
refreshment and equip us to face life’s challenges. As you acknowledge the
importance of slowing down and “being still,” let every sunrise serve as a
reminder to set aside time for…
…SON delays!
GOING DEEPER:
1. What changes are needed for you to make time
to be still?
FURTHER READING:
Married
to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at
Craig Berns Salon and Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility. She’s
on the Oakwood Women’s Ministry Special Events planning team.
