Recently, I’ve found this sentence from Psalm 46 to be more comforting that I would have thought (not generally being a Psalm reader). During Covid, Part I, I spent hours and hours alone. I had a mask-making phase, then poetry writing, then on-line cello-lessons, long walks all solitary activities. Sure, I Zoomed with family and Facetimed with friends. But that still left plenty of room for stillness to find me. I relished it.
So, why have I abandoned it so quickly? In Covid, Part II as restrictions have eased (even while the virus seems to be surging again) and I and so many of my friends have been double vaccinated, I’ve too quickly filled my calendar with lunches, concerts, swim classes, a couple car trips. I’ve squeezed the stillness out and I’m trying to find my way back.
Somehow, focusing on this sentence and then breaking it into parts provides a path (I didn’t discover this myself, but from some good teacher, maybe even Richard Carter!). I follow it one step and then another down to my destination. With luck I find stillness. With grace I find what might be my soul and I’m grateful.
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
Annette Atkins
