You’ve got the inside scoop on the secret to calm in the middle of today’s stress–
just because you’re a mom.
That’s because more than anyone else you totally get the mother-child picture God gives in Psalm 131.
Psalm 131…
My heart is not proud, Lord,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.
Israel, put your hope in the Lord
both now and forevermore.
You remember what it’s like, right? To have a child climb up on your lap and lay their little head on your chest and rest and trust. That’s God’s heart for you too.
Anything but calm
I joke that my son didn’t sit down until he was four. He was too busy climbing on top of the coffee table, riding his plastic scooter and chasing balls.
But every morning he’d stagger out of bed, with hair sticking every which way and blankie in hand. He’d climb onto my lap, lay his head on my chest, and still as could be, he’d snuggle. It never lasted long but those minutes were priceless and precious.
‘Course now that he’s twenty-four, he’s outgrown the need to sit on my lap. But…
We never outgrow our need to be close to God and be still.
Busy days, Stress-filled times
With everything going on these days, calming and quieting yourself inside isn’t easy.
“What about school in the fall?”
“There so much division in our country!”
“When will the quarantine end?”
“What’s going to happen to my job?”
“How will I pay my bills?”
But in this psalm it’s like God says, “Stop trying to figure things out things that are above your head. Stay close to me.” (James 4:8).
CLOSE to God
What’s with the phrase “weaned child”?
I love how God intentionally chose the phrase “weaned child” in Psalm 131. It perfectly describes the kind of relationship he wants with us.
A weaned child is someone who isn’t solely nursing or taking the bottle anymore. They can do without milk and eat other foods. She’s content.
What happens when you pull a bottle or breast away from a child who isn’t weaned? Quiet and calm morphs into a crying fit. Take away what a baby wants most and she’ll give you an earful. She won’t stop the fit until you give it back. In other words, she isn’t content.
Sometimes life takes away the comforts and security we rely on. Little luxuries. Creature comforts. Sometimes even the things we really need just aren’t in view. How will everything all work out? The temptation is to worry. Instead God encourages us to draw close and be content.
CONTENT
Don’t try to figure things out that are way above your brain grade. Be content. He’s got whatever is on your mind.
“Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10.
2020 © Carol Garborg
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