"In the Waiting"

I wrote this article in August 2007 - just prior to my resignation as youth director at our church. Even though it is not the end of summer, I wanted to share my thoughts from then.

Learning to be still,
Bethany

Where did the summer go? School is about to begin again, there is so much to do and so little time!

In the busy times, hear God whisper "be still...."

As I look back over the summer there have been several highlights - the youth mission trips to Nashville and Gastonia. My personal experience of working with mentally handicapped adults and youth, has changed my view of the love of Christ and the value of people. I am so thankful for the opportunities I have had to grow and learn in my role as Youth Minister!

In the good times, hear God whisper "be still....."

The highlights have been tempered with trials and times when I felt low. In October of 2006, my sister-in-law gave me a scripture to hold on to during a particularly dark time -Psalm 46:1-5 & 10

1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. 10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

I have spent time in the Psalms over the summer and marvel at how God values us and cares for us - especially when we are feeling low! "There is no pit so deep, that God's love is not deeper still." - Corrie Ten Boom, Concentration Camp Survivor

When feeling low, hear God whisper "be still...."

Answered prayer? In so many instances our church has seen God move through prayer. Personally, we have seen answered prayer as well: the complete healing of my son Michael's eyes; news of the lawsuit involving my brother and his wife being settled; the absence of cancer in my own test results...God has shown me again how "the effectual, fervent prayers of righteous people avails much" (my own translation).

In prayer time, hear God whisper "be still...."

I thank God for being there in the busy times, good times, low times and the answered prayers!