Be Still
Be Still by Tiffany Ward
We recently took an extended weekend trip to Crystal Beach on The Bolivar Peninsula near Galveston, Texas. It’s a neat area that we have been to many times with our family. The pace of life—as a woman, wife, mommy, and business owner—is often so full that even planning a trip for our family can feel like a chore — mentally, emotionally, and physically! My inner voice reminds me that taking time for breathing room is worth it. God has allowed this desire to strengthen in me and He has helped to soften areas that have been strung tight in my own life by intentionally pausing and resting. I can feel this tension leave my body with gentle and intentional breathing. Relaxing in the moment and being present to what’s in front of me. I can feel myself mentally and emotionally unwind at the beach. These moments in a beach chair often leave me pondering what it means to be still in this season of life. How is God meeting you in the stillness rather than in daily striving?
Let’s move past prepping for the trip and unloading our items at the Airbnb. That’s the striving part that we are most familiar with… I want to share about our arrival to the beach! Oh the excitement coursing through us as we finally reached our destination—sinking our toes in the sand and feeling the waves moving past our feet and ankles. The skyline was stretching far beyond our eyes reach. After this moment of welcome reprieve and respite… we began setting up our beach camp. And just like that, we were back to the striving. The wind was blowing, the tent was flapping, the cooler was heavy, and the kites had to be assembled carefully…the struggle and effort began again. When we accomplished our goal of an anchored visible location and shade, I shamelessly collapsed in the beach chair and rested my feet on our pineapple patterned beach throw blanket. My husband lovingly and endearingly called me a beach diva as I sat in my floppy hat in my sand-free zone. I told him beach divas don’t have belly rolls! He then informed me I only needed to tip my chair backwards to add an angle to the chair and I wouldn’t have any rolls left! I just laughed out loud because I think he is so funny! And then…. That’s when something holy hit me—in the ordinary. Our son was like, uhhh, “Mom, you aren’t practicing body insecurity right?” He says, “You look great!” I smiled with a swollen heart. I noticed our daughter digging away in the sand with her plastic shovel. I felt proud that our son had a strong belief about physical beauty, personal strength, and the human body. I didn’t expect this angled chair moment to feel like worship, but here I was, praising God. My feet on sacred ground. I leaned back further and I said, “No, in fact I like my body just the way it is!!” I giggled and said, “You three go get into the water and let me chill here in peace!”
A sweet God moment came in this angled beach chair. A moment of proof that God can grow us through laughter and playful family moments. As I sat there on the beach where the water is NOT Crystal Blue Perfection. I noticed how much it means for me to sit today and feel content, and to BE STILL while I observe my family from afar. I noticed how it feels to take the background role instead of being front and center. Watching them ride the waves and enjoy their experiences in the water together. Past me, would have been there in the thick of it, riding the waves, demanding attention and affection in those waters from the ones I loved the most. I still planned to get out there eventually….But I wanted to rest in the moment knowing God is growing me up. And I’m so thankful He is. He is helping me see that—just like with the chair—if we adjust our angle instead of critiquing ourselves, we may feel the peace we long for. It makes me pause to reflect: what else could we tilt in life to see things more kindly? For me tilting, means adjusting my pace. Striving and being still. Moving with a cadence like the ocean waves coming in and going back out. Like our breath. With a gentle Inhale… exhale… on repeat…this stillness created space for joy, reflection, and even humor. I came to the beach expecting fun, and God gave me peace. I am learning to rest instead of rush. What is God doing in your life that requires rest, not hustle?
Be Treasured — Tiffany Ward