Calm-- it's such a small word and yet the idea that it represents is of infinite value. How much would you pay for an hour of calmness in your life, or even where it really matters, your soul? To be calm is a good feeling. It brings peace and contentment, at least for a moment. As I get older, it also seems to be more and more elusive. It was so much easier to find as a child, even though back then I never realized I was looking for it. All I had to do then was turn to a parent or grandparent, someone who loved me and looked out for me, to find it.
Now I'm the dad and my kids look to me for calmness, whether they realize it or not. For instance, when my 15-year-old son who's learning to drive almost has a wreck and his heart's pumping adrenaline and panic through his veins and he looks at me with wide eyed terror, it's up to me to talk him through it and bring a little calm into his life. Or when my oldest daughter snaps a screw off of the trumpet her band teacher just sent her home with that day and she knows she's going to get into trouble, it's up to me to bring a little calm into her life by giving her a hug and telling her that I'll try to fix it (which I did by the way). Or when my youngest daughter crawls up into my lap in the evening or calls to me from her room at bed time to come pray with her before she goes to sleep. They look to me to bring a little calm into the craziness that is life.
Wouldn't it be nice to crawl into the arms of a loving parent and hear them pray over you before tucking you in for a good night's sleep once again? I think a moment like that would be worth a fortune to most of us. What if I told you you could have moments like those? I think we can. Read these words from Psalm 131 and I think you'll see what I mean.
"O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore."
When we take time to crawl into our heavenly Father's lap, He will bring calmness to our souls just like a loving parent. I hope you know that feeling.
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Editor's note: Paul Bryant is the pastor of First Baptist Church, Garfield. He can be contacted by email at [email protected]
Religion on 03/12/2014