Laura J. Davis

If I close my eyes and remain perfectly still

 will I be able to shut out the noise of the day?

The barking dog across the street,

My neighbour's children yelling,

The drone of the dishwasher?

Be Still and know that I am God.

 How can I be still enough to hear You, O Lord?

My mind is always racing.

Thoughts pop into my head,

random ideas that beg to be chased down

 I am still, but there is too much noise.

How do I HEAR you O Lord?

Do I keep repeating Your name like a mantra?

Will humming work or scented candles?

Do I search the scriptures looking

 for signs that You are speaking

 only to me?

How do I HEAR you?

 BE STILL and know that I am God.

Is it in the waiting?

How long do I give you before You will speak?One hour? Two?

I have waited, yet I do not hear. 

BE STILL and know that I am God.

I stepped outside and my ears were overwhelmed.

Noise from cars, children, dogs and lawnmowers.

It is hard to focus inside my house.

It is equally hard outside.

And then I heard You.

A still small voice.

A gentle breeze that caressed my face.

The leaves rustling in the trees

blowing a sweet sound of praise.

A sunbeam piercing through a cloud

landing on my face with a warm, gentle kiss.

Subtle touches that fill my heart

till it is close to bursting with joy.

No audible voice, but a presence that is unmistakable.

It is not the stilling of my mind

 or the sounds around me that enable me to hear you.

I hear You because I have pursued You

and You love to be pursued.

So, I will seek you in the morning and in the evening

I will talk to you throughout my stress-filled, noisy, busy days.

And I will hear You because I am Your child and You are my God, 

my Father, my Saviour.

My Friend.

“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)