Be still!

Just a few years after moving to Florida, my daughter (then about 9-10 years old) and I went to one of the most beautiful beaches with our two good friends, mother and daughter. The water was a little choppy that day and we were warned of the strong currents. Despite the warnings, a few had swam out to the sandbar and our friends decided to swim out.

I remembered looking at my daughter and I could tell she really wanted to try but neither of us were the strongest swimmers. I didn’t want to let her down so I agreed to try and we’d just swim back if we got tired.

Well two minutes in and we were both a little freaked out and decided to turn back. I did remember to swim parallel to the shoreline so we swam...and swam...and swam. The shoreline didn’t appear much closer despite how long we continued to swim. The panic set in and I wasn’t even in arms reach of my daughter. It was maybe one of the most helpless feelings I’ve ever had.

I continued to assure her that it was ok and to just take it slow but I was literally screaming on the inside. Then came the tears...both of us. Next came the shouts for help and the very few people on the beach were just looking at us.

And in a moment I just stopped and touched my foot to the sand. Technically, it was my knees.

I’m not sure how long we’d been swimming in shallow water. The gulf beaches have a long stretch of shallow water that can seem so far from the shoreline. It didn’t occur to me to try to stand up.

So now I can look back and laugh at this but at the time we just ran to shore and cried holding each other thankful to be alive.

In Psalm 46:10-11 New International Version

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

    I will be exalted among the nations,

    I will be exalted in the earth.”

This was almost like a earth shattering command. Stop fighting and know who I am. I am Your God who is faithful and all powerful.

Like in the water that day, I thought I was doing everything right but I was filled with panic and fear and I was so tired from swimming. But all I needed to do was stop plant my feet on the ground.

Sometimes when I am filled with worry or can’t see a way out...when I have exhausted every option in my playbook, He reminds me to be still and know the God I serve.