I love unscheduled Saturdays where the family can sit and watch marathons of tv shows, play games, go for long walks, and just be together. Recently, we have made it a habit in our home to unschedule the weekend.
Weekends have been both hectic and lonely for us in the past. It is when dad’s absence during deployments is felt the most strongly and we fill the space with busy noise. With him home it becomes a struggle to readjust and be still. The busy noise interrupts our family time and we have to downsize our activities. To just enjoy his presence and be whole again is the goal.
There is joy and peace in stillness.
The world is full of busy noise and finding rest is difficult.
When the world presses in on me, when the pressure of life and the terror I see on the news becomes to much, I meditate on Psalms 46.
Psalm 46[a]
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth.[b] A song.
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.[c]
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.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields[d] with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
There are many reasons to feel surrounded by fear but knowing that God is our refuge and strength gives us peace and stillness. Resting in His strength allows us the freedom to feel safe and full of joy during the turbulence that is life. Just as I need to make an effort to be still and rest in the comfort of my husband’s presence when he is home, I need to make the effort to be still and remember that God is in control.
I love a peaceful weekend! Netflix marathons are the best!
One of my fav Psalms! I love those sort of Saturdays, in fact had one today :). Thank you for this lovely and inspirational post.
We also consciously try to create quiet spaces in our lives. It’s easier for us since we don’t have kids. But it’s a good practice to teach children the value of quiet times!
PS: I don’t watch TV any more! Just catch the occasional movie online! 😉