Wednesday, November 10, 2010

On Being Still

Do you ever feel you're a little slow when it comes to the aha!-eureka! moments of life? Sometimes I do.

You see, I'm teaching this year...art, to a LOT of students. It seems there is much to do in each class and very little time, so when the kids won't quiet down while I'm talking, lecturing or giving instructions, I get frustrated. Yesterday as I was walking into school, I thought to myself, "Why do I get so frustrated with that? Is it me? Do other teachers feel this way?" And then it hit me. So clearly. A revelation I would never have gotten had I not been teaching some wonderful kids this year.

God revealed to me deep in my spirit, "How do you think I feel when I'm trying to teach you something? When I'm speaking to you, but you won't be still enough or quiet enough to listen? When you don't leave all the cares of your world outside and give me your full, undivided attention? Is it any wonder that occasionally I have to use more drastic measures to slow you down and make you listen? I do have something to teach you, you know. And there's so much to do but so little time."

Well, my goodness. I guess I am slow. It took over three decades and walking in the shoes of a teacher to understand that I am JUST LIKE my children when it comes to learning from God, to listening to Him. I am a fidgety, chatty, distracted, and busy child.

Be still, and know that I am God. - Psalm 46:10

Wow. I get it know. I doubt I'll be quite as frustrated when my kids are talking or tapping their feet while I'm trying to teach them the difference between Van Gogh, Matisse, and Picasso. We are kindred spirits, after all.

Now, on to my next lesson...patience.