The Beauty of Being Still

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Psalm 46:10

Ann barely glanced up from her cooking when Brett walked in, their youngest son in tow. “Have you seen the sunset?” he asked, his voice unusually earnest.

“No, should I?” Ann responded, wiping her hands on a towel. She followed him outside, curious about what had prompted his question.

The sky was a masterpiece. Shades of violet stretched across the horizon, fading into bold streaks of tangerine and crimson, all crowned with a glowing gold. Ann stood still, taking in the vibrant scene.

She was about to retreat to her kitchen when a tug on her heart kept her rooted in place. Turning back toward the painted sky, she felt an unspoken message resonate within her: “Receive this moment.”

Ann closed her eyes, letting the truth settle. How many sunsets had she missed? How many small wonders had she ignored in her rush to the next thing? The melody of rain, the joy of a child’s laughter, the warmth of the sun—each moment a divine gift, waiting to be noticed.

Standing under the vivid sky, Ann made a quiet vow to pause more often, to see and savor the goodness of God around her. She would no longer let busyness steal these moments she was given.

What beauty might you notice if you stopped to look today?