Stillness

On Saturday, I lay in my hammock for the first time this year.

It was nice. But it was also weird

As soon as I leaned back and let the strong fabric hold me,

I was transported back a year,

To the beginning of the pandemic,

When the world stood still.

 

All of the feelings and sensations of that

Strange and uncertain time

Enveloped me,

And I could feel

The stillness that characterized those months

Like no other time in our lives.

 

I remembered those early months of online learning

And I marveled at how far we’ve come.

I remembered not knowing how to teach virtually

And I smiled at the knowledge that it’s now second nature.

 

I remembered the toilet paper crisis

And I visualized the empty shelves of the grocery store.

I remembered not knowing how the virus was transmitted

And I laughed at us wiping down our groceries in fear.

 

I remembered the discomfort of wearing a mask

And I thought about how mask-wearing is now normal.

I remembered longing for time with friends and family members

And I smiled at the beauty of family Zoom calls and Face-Timing with friends.

 

But most of all,

I remembered the stillness.

It’s a feeling I can’t describe.

It was a deep-down restfulness of the soul,

Knowing that the demands of the world had stopped

And that God was calling us just to be.

 

We’ve come a long way in a year.

The year has taken and given so much.

Yet as the world has opened back up,

And the busy-ness of life has ensued,

I have to wonder if the stillness that was forced upon us

Isn’t something that we should fight to preserve.

 

Yesterday, I wrote a simple little Sabbath Day poem that I will leave with you now.

Blessings upon blessings to you, my friend.

And may your soul find moments of peace today—

Even in the midst of the busy-ness.

 

Amen.

 

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This world is so fast,

Everything fast—

Fast food,

Fast cash,

Fast results,

Fast cars—

Sometimes it’s nice just to

Slow down and be—

In God’s love,

In prayer,

In silence,

In peace…