Well, it's been a few weeks since my last blog. It has been crazy trying to complete the details of Niki's impending wedding and our Summer Day Camp that began this past week. My mind has no shut off mode right now. But that's ok. I like it that way. But I find myself getting up in the mornings only to, rush to get ready, rush to get to our facility, rush to make sure everything is ready before the campers get there, then it seems like I rush through the rest of my day. Only to wake up the next morning and do it all over again. I believe I'm not the only one like that. I know others do the same thing everyday. But here's what I learned this week.
One of our Day Camper's taught me a valuable lesson. During our camp we feed the kids a wholesome lunch and for some of these kids it's the only meal they get the whole day during the summer. Christopher, a 10 year old, bright eyed, buck tooth, adorable boy was sitting at a booth enjoying his meal along with a couple of girls. These girls were having a great time talking and giggling like young girls will do. But Christopher, who is ADHD and Autistic was not appreciating the noise they were making. So with his arms stretched out, and a very serious look on his face, looked over at them and said, "Can I get just five minutes of peace and quiet!" "Just five minutes!" As you can imagine, I was rolling in my seat. I'm sure he heard a teacher or one of his parents say that, but coming from a 10 year old it was hysterical. It also shut those girls up. But this morning was the first morning this week that I have had the chance to get up, get my coffee, go out and sit on my front porch, open God's Word and just take in His presence. What a sweet calmness it gave me. As I pondered on the events over the past week, I kept picturing Christopher saying those words. Then it hit me. God was trying to get my attention! "Just five minutes of peace and quiet!" If you know me well, then you know relaxing for me is working. It is so hard for me to sit still and do nothing. Even when I sit, my foot is stomping or I'm humming. I can't just sit and relax. Especially my mind. It is always churning.
Psalms 46:10 reads, "Be still and know that I am God." That one little passage of scripture packs a huge message. See, to be still literally means to be at rest; free from noise or sound. In order for us to hear God and truly commune with Him, we must make still our mind and body. Free ourselves from the noise of the world and our mind so we can hear His gentle voice as He leads us beside quiet waters, and restores our soul. As He guides us in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. As His Spirit renews us with His love and peace.
It's amazing what I can learn from the innocence of a child. But God knows our heart and He knows what captures our attention and will use it to make His point everytime. We just have to be seeking Him in order for Him to reveal it to us. God desires for us to rest. He desires for us to clear our minds so we can take in His word, understand it, absorb it, and then apply it to our daily lives. The only way we can do that is if we make it a habit to take, as in the words of sweet little Christopher, "just five minutes of peace and quiet." Obviously, five minutes is not a long time. But take time each day and dedicate it to being still to hear from God. Oh, how He longs for us to just be quiet!
His Humble Servant,
Angie Burkeen
Club 180 Ministry
503 Main Street
Cumberland, KY 40823
http://www.club180ministry.com/
