“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
God sometimes makes us still so that we can breathe, reflect, and observe His majesty.
The weekend was extended a day and a great day was being celebrated.  Good Friday and Easter were here!  A few days before this great occasion, I was ready to get much done and up for anything. 
Well, things changed.  I’ve been quiet and still for the past few days.  Yep, the cold/allergy/crud/achy season spent some time in our home. So instead of hustling around with all the plans that “I” had in my mind for the long weekend, I was taking it easy. 
The reflection time all started last Thursday when I had to take my youngest to the ER.  He had informed me the day before that his heart had been feeling tight for about a week.  I never knew!  He was playing around like normal, so when he told me I was concerned but not going crazy.  On Thursday he mentioned it again so I called the doctor and they told me to take him to the ER right away.  Well, that time in the hospital made me stop and reflect.
I reflected on the heart.  Not just the physical heart, but the spiritual heart.

• Philippians 4:6-7, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ^7~Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”  During our ER visit, I prayed, thanked God, felt His peace, and knew He was protecting our hearts.
• Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God. ~Renew a loyal spirit within me.”  Our hearts can get tainted.  We must keep our focus on God, be loyal to His word, and ask Him daily to purify our hearts and minds.

While being “still” I loved observing how my children interacted with others.  I was a proud momma when I saw my children giving godly advice to others (My cup runneth over!), enjoying a simple game of “hide-n-seek” at even a “big-kid” age, and simply staying out of drama.

• Proverbs 1:8, “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.” Sometimes I (we, parents) often wonder, “Are our children really ‘getting it’?”  Oh, how they are.  Little (and big) eyes are always watching how we act and react to various situations.  When you see them reiterating the same advice you’ve given to them to their friends, ahhh how refreshing it is.

Finally, over the past few days of not feeling well, I am quickly reminded that what I have “is just a cold”.  My heart is heavy with much prayer for family and friends.  Cancer, stroke, severe diabetes, failing organs, etc. These are a few of the symptoms/diseases that my dear loved ones are dealing with right now to the extreme.  It’s not “just a cold” for them.  So my cold was quickly put in perspective and my actions were turned to being on my knees in unceasing prayer.  I was praying not only for the sick, but for their family and loved ones who are caring for them.
God is The Great Physician. My God can heal diseases (Psalm 103:3), restore you to good health (Jeremiah 30:17), and has great compassion (Matthew 14:14).  Yes, He can heal.   May His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
So, my wimpy illness may have slowed me down, but God helped me to see things and others in a pleasant light, and has brought me to my knees in thanksgiving, humility, and urgency for others.
“Be still, and know that I am God;” Psalms 46:10
Please join me in prayer for:

• Aunt Joyce (My mom’s only living sibling…had a mini-stroke plus other health issues.)
• Doug (A lifelong friend, and the one who got me and my husband together back in 1985…on breathing tubes and dialysis.)
• My cousin Brenda (needing a new kidney and liver)
• My sister-in-law’s mom, Jean (brain cancer)
• Another dear lifelong friend’s brother, Keith. (severe burns to his body, escaped his home that was burned down)

Be still and pray!
I pray God’s abundant love and blessings for y’all.