Valerie thrust the paddle downward, pushing the kayak forward through the water, trying to keep up with her friends. She held the paddle in one hand, adjusted her sunglasses, and tucked her hair behind her ear. She tried to keep pace, keeping the kayak within a few yards of the others. After several minutes, they spread out across the lake. Who should she follow? She shook her head. No one. This wasn’t a race. She steered the kayak toward the edge of the lake and glided past the sea of lily pads. The kayak slowed, but that gave her a better view of the pink flowers dotting the green circles. She stretched out her back and sighed. This was more like it.

 It had been a busy week. She’d worked through several problems at her job, had a church meeting Wednesday night, and still managed to bake cookies and blueberries muffins for the camping trip. Then last night, they’d met up with several other families at the campground. This morning had been her turn for the meal, so she’d cooked up bacon and eggs for the whole hungry crew, teenage boys and all. But now, all the others were on the far side of the lake and she allowed the kayak to slowly drift along the lake’s edge, only paddling at a fraction of her previous speed. She inhaled the fresh, clean air.

Be still and know that I am God.

The verse flitted through her mind. Where even was that found? She made a mental note to look it up when she got home. Maybe even read the context. Be still. Not something she’d been doing a lot of lately. But this, this was more like it. The cloudless blue sky reflected in the water. Along the shore, dozens of families lit grills and and enjoyed picnics, and across the lake, people of all ages rowed canoes, paddled kayaks or stand-up paddleboards, or simply cast their lines into the water, hoping to hook a fish.

Valerie reached the far shore of the lake and there, off to the side, movement caught her eye. A heron waded in the shallow water, no doubt looking for his next meal. A moment later, a greenish-brown head poked up from the water, blinked at her, and disappeared back under the surface, leaving ripples in its wake. Soon, another turtle appeared on the other side of the kayak. Valerie smiled. If she continued at the pace of the others, she would have missed all this. What else would God have for her if she was more still?

A few moments later, movement caught her eye. Another kayak eased up alongside her. Her husband threw her a grin. “Enjoying the lake?”

Valerie nodded. “I am. I just saw a heron and a couple of turtles.”

Ryan cocked his head at her. “Oh yeah? That’s cool. I just circled the whole lake, but didn’t see any wildlife.”

“Did you stop?”

“No, not until now. Why?”

Valerie shrugged. “I think the movement of the kayak probably scares the animals away. I didn’t see anything until I stopped paddling.”

Ryan took a swig from his water bottle. “Why do I feel like there’s a lesson in there somewhere?”

“I think God is telling me to be still.”

Ryan laughed. “You? When are you ever still?”

“I think that’s the point. Be still and know that I am God.”

Ryan nodded. “Psalm 46.”

Valerie blinked. “Is that where that verse is found?”

“Yeah. That’s a good one. God is our refuge, an ever-present help in times of trouble,” Ryan quoted. “Do you think God is asking you to slow down, to depend more on Him?”

“Maybe,” Valerie said.

“That’s going to be hard to do this weekend when we’re socializing with so many people.”

“I don’t think so.”

Ryan turned his kayak to face her, the question in his gaze.

“I think I can be still, even in a crowd. I think it’s all about attitude. Even surrounded with all our friends, I can still be in God’s presence. I mean, look at this place.” Valerie gestured with her paddle. “We’re in the midst of a lake in a park in the woods. God’s handiwork is evident everywhere. I just need to remember to recognize it for what it is.”

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

 Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

God, You truly are everywhere, if we only stop to look. Thank You for surrounding us with beauty, and with other people with whom we can develop relationships. Help us to remember to take time to pay attention to what You want to show us. Sometimes You speak to us best when we’re alone in nature, but other times, You speak to us through others. And other times, You allow us to be the ones to speak to others for You. Please help us to remember You are our refuge, a place where we can go to ride out the storm, but also a place for refreshment and comfort. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.