Patient Stillness

Talk about patience! The other night, I saw our older cat, Sadie, sitting and staring at one of the baseboard water heater covers. When I see her doing that, I know she is aware of something hiding behind the cover, probably a spider, so I tell her if it comes out to be sure to get. She's a great spider hunter. I think cats must be able to hear them somehow. If I see Hunter doing this, though, I watch him. He likes to play with the spiders and carries them around the house!

Well, all of a sudden I heard a "thunk" and saw Sadie running through the dining room heading down the hall with not a spider but a tiny mouse! The alarm was given and we were all trying to catch Sadie—and the mouse. She dropped it, caught it, and dropped it again. It got away and ran to another heater cover. Hunter took over, though, and caught it. Then, the chase began again. This time, Hunter ran down the hall to the office with my husband close behind. Once in the room, Hunter dropped the mouse. Can't play with it if it's in your mouth, you know. That gave my husband the opportunity to scoop it up and put it outside where it belonged.

 

Whew! And, sigh. Again, Sadie is back staring at the heater cover. My husband says it is just a sign of autumn. I think it is a sign of living in an older home with a crawl space under it.

But, think of the patience of a cat. Haven't you seen them in fields, too, just sitting and waiting? Such patient stillness.

 

What about us, praying moms? Do we have patient stillness?

 

Sadie knew the heater held the promise of a mouse. Similarly, we know the promises of God's Word.

 

As we pray for our children, are we willing to wait for the Lord's perfect answer and perfect timing?

 

Or, do we follow the example of Abraham and Sarah and try to "help" God? God is our Helper, not us His.

 

When it seems like nothing is happening, take a Selah moment to let the final words of Psalm 46 sink into your heart and mind—

 

Let be and be still,

and know (recognize and understand) that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations!

I will be exalted in the earth!

The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our Refuge (our High Tower and Stronghold).

Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

Psalm 46:10-11 (AMP)

 

Nothing more exalts God than to show Himself as God. He is not just the God who speaks; He is the God who acts. His promises are as good today as they were yesterday because He is unchanging. He has promised to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are loyal to Him (2 Chronicles 16:9a).

 

Isaiah wrote these words for us to remember—

 

For from of old no one has heard nor perceived by the ear,

nor has the eye seen a God besides You,

Who works and shows Himself active

on behalf of him who [earnestly] waits for Him.

Isaiah 64:4 (AMP)

 

So, praying mom, as you lay your child at His feet in prayer, may you trust the Lord of hosts with an attitude of patient stillness.