Yesterday, I caught myself running up the stairs in our house. Why was I running and what for? I really can’t remember. It was nothing urgent, so why the rush?
Sometimes I rush through the day and at the end compliment myself on all the busyness I rushed through. It must have been important because I was so very busy. Did I miss something? Yes. I missed the sunrise and the sunset, I missed the wind and sun on my face, I missed so much by rushing into my busyness.
A good friend of mine who had just had a baby asked me my advice on parenting once. He asked me, “If you had one piece of advice to give me what would it be”. I remember my reply, “Walk and don’t run”. I heard my own advice ringing in my ears yesterday as I rushed up the stairs to do something I can’t remember. I have made a mental note to slow down. It’s easy to rush into the day and not stop, be still, be present, and appreciate life for what it is. Do I need to take my own advice, you bet!
Simon and Garfunkel put it well in their song “Feeling Groovy”
“Slow down, you move too fast. You’ve got to make the moment last”
So what are you rushing into? What are you busy with? Do you have to run when you could walk? I’m spending the next few days slowing down, listening more to God, and feeling groovy. Here’s my reflection on what God might want me to see:
Slow Down, You Move Too Fast
The faster you go
The bigger the mess.
Ain’t that so true,
I was quick to confess.
So why do you rush
Right into your day?
There is so much to see
Just stop, sit and stay.
Stay in my presence
I’ll show you such sights.
My bright and bold sunrise
My clear and crisp nights.
Smell the rain on the grass
Feel the wind in your hair.
See my crimson red sunset,
Just stop, look and stare.
So as you rush through your day
Stop, and give me a nod
Take time to be still,
And know that I am your God.
Be still, and know that I am God
~ Psalm 46:10
Poetry in Motion 