A few weeks ago, my friend Rebecca gave me challenge. She said, “Be still. Try doing nothing for 20 minutes and then I’d like you to write about it.” When she suggested this, I was immediately on board. What I didn’t expect is what I’d hear during those 20 minutes of stillness.
For many years, stillness has been a challenge for me. I’m a fidgeter and I’m one of those gals who is more comfortable up, putting something away, cleaning or doing something. Honestly, sitting and doing nothing makes me feel like I’m wasting time and, digging even deeper, it’s fair to admit that my to-do list runs me more than it should.
So, tonight I thought of Rebecca and as we wrapped up dinner, I told my husband that I thought I’d go lay down in our room for a bit. He said he thought it was a great idea and moments later I was lying on our bed…….Instagramming. Say what? I don’t think that’s what she meant by being still. My bad.
Starting over, I tossed my phone to the side and carefully placed pillows around my head. If I was going to be still, I was going to enjoy some silence.
Well, my pillows didn’t deny the fact that we have 3 little kids. Silence didn’t come, but stillness did. After just a few moments of doing absolutely nothing, I felt like my ears started to really wake up to what it really sounds like in my house.
Right there, laying with my feet tucked in under a quilt, I heard my family out in the dining room. My husband was cleaning up from dinner, my 4 year old was belting out “Go Tell It On A Mountain”, my son was chatting away about cool ninja moves and my baby was laughing.
For the first time since who knows when, I felt like a fly the wall in my own house. I laid there, still and silent and I simply listened to the sound of my family. I can’t remember the last time I loved the loud, alive and energetic sound of our home that much.
When I took a break from all of my “doing”, what I heard was golden. I heard laughter, singing, my husband lovingly correcting when needed. I heard my family. My people. My team.
So often I’m too busy to hear things as they really are. The precious voices all mix together and they become a loud annoying chatter. When I was still, I was emptied of my normal distractions and I was able to hear things as they really are.
And after thanking God for my family, I did what most other folks would do…I fell asleep. I guess I was more tired than I realized.
When was the last time you did absolutely nothing for 20 minutes? Think you could do it? I challenge you to try it and then come back and tell me about it. I’d love to hear your experience!
Learn more about the Be Still Challenge!
