And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

Mark 4:37-39 (NKJV)

Yesterday my FB status was “I am appreciating the serenity of the Universe, and stilling myself to match His (It's) rhythms.”  Before you get too impressed, I was prep-talking myself away from ledges.  Anticipating a difficult conversation before a contentious meeting, I chose to quiet my body and my mind for what might have been a tough morning.  It worked.  The conversation was challenging, but I was clear and calm.  The meeting was rough, but I kept my voice steady, my position clear and free from condemnation and personal attack.  I was proud to have reflected God’s peace in my demeanor.  I am glad I remembered to return to the hill. 

The first time I wrote about the hill, I was challenging myself to achieve an active peace.  I’m not good at sitting still, so I wasn’t going to play any games about learning to master physical stillness.  I may be years away from that mastery, and it doesn’t interest me, at the moment.  Yesterday’s victory was about speaking peace to the anticipation of my personal storm, and knowing, by God’s Grace, that modeling His serenity would benefit me, and get me through. I participated in the making of my (very simple) blessing.  I prepared myself to receive, and I did.  I’ll be trying that again. 

There are two ways to approach preparing for things that are difficult.  We can baton down the hatches and brace for impact, or breathe, offer no resistance, knowing that a) it’s not our battle, b) victory is already assured, and most importantly c) He speaks peace to our storms.

So, with a small victory, I am affirming my commitment to intentional quietness.  (I talk too much anyway.  People around me will probably appreciate some stillness…) Thank You Lord, for a lesson remembered and confirmation received. I might go sit on the hill more often.  My first lesson was stilling myself to wait for God…”Peace be still, and wait on His calling.”  Yesterday’s evolution of the lesson was “Peace be still.” Perhaps the next iteration is just “Peace.” Can you imagine?

I will walk quietly through this day, because walking quietly is a manifestation of God’s Grace.  And given the abundance of Grace in my life, I am continually reminded that God is good.