Be Still and Give Thanks to God

by Kelly Breece

It was December 1994 and I raced down the interstate -- with my eyes glued to the road in search of an opening in the traffic. Traffic ... on a Saturday afternoon? Why today? It wasn't the ideal setting, but I snickered with surprise, as I learned just how much "get-up-and-go" my brand new red Mustang had. I had only had the car for 5 days and I was driving it to my college graduation ceremony. In fact, even though I was a few minutes late, I was "riding on air" ... literally ... "riding on air". I was mere minutes away from my exit when the car began to putter ... stutter ... and finally quit. Turning the wheel towards the shoulder, I eased off the road, and then sat in cold silence and disbelief. I thought I had plenty of gas to make it to graduation ... obviously not. What if I don't make it? Four years of college and it comes down to this!

But then I looked up and saw that I was within walking distance of a gas station and I was able to fill up a container and then the tank fairly quickly. A tenderhearted gentleman stopped to help the "damsel in distress" and laughed when I nervously fumbled around looking for the gas cap release button. I explained that I had only had the car for a few days.

He grinned as he reached over and opened the gas tank door on the side of the car, "Did you plan to just drive the car until it ran out of gas and then park it?" "Maybe!" I answered sarcastically. I couldn't help but laugh with him, especially since I had just realized that in my bound from the car towards the gas station, I had split my long skirt clear up to the top of my legs! There was nothing else to do at that moment, but laugh. I almost felt relieved, because I knew then that I was sitting on rock bottom in a torn skirt and this day couldn't possibly get worse.

God somehow carried me all the way to the auditorium where I found that I had only missed a short rehearsal. Backing into a corner, I took off my coat and replaced it with my graduation gown, so as not to reveal my newly "tailored" skirt. I found my seat and no one ever knew a thing, including my family who was entering the building. Finally, a calm came over me. "I made it. Thank you God ... thank you ... thank you," I whispered.

I realized right then that the last thirty minutes of my life had been somewhat of a summary of the last four years of college.

The ceremony could've been a blur, but instead it was real, momentous, and profound. Tears fell uncontrollably as my eyes opened wide to what was happening. As my personal pandemonium subsided, God brought me to a very quiet, peaceful place. Not only was I thanking Him for getting me to graduation safely, but more importantly, I was truly thanking Him for guiding me through four years of college and allowing me to reach a goal. He used the experience that afternoon to remind me that no matter how chaotic life had gotten, He was bringing me in for a safe landing through faith in Him.

Now that God has entrusted me with the Christian walk of a child, I pray that I can teach him to live by faith and learn to sometimes simply ... "be still" and listen and to give thanks.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. ... The nations are in an uproar ... Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth." The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge." (Psalm 46:1,6,10-11)

Posted: 11/27/2003
URL: http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200311/20031127_bestill.html

(c) 2003 Kelly Breece <KellyBreece@aol.com>. From the Morning Cup <http://www.ourmorningcup.com/> Devotional, a weekly devotional for Christian women.

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