still in the marketplace

"Be still and acknowledge that I am God" 

(Psalm 46:10).  

These are words to take with us 

in our busy lives.  

We may think about stillness 

in contrast to our noisy world.  

But perhaps we can go further 

and keep an inner stillness 

even while we carry on business, 

teach, work in construction, 

make music, or organise meetings.

It is important to keep a still place 

in the "marketplace."  

This still place

 is where God can dwell 

and speak to us.  

It also is the place from where 

we can speak in a healing way 

to all the people we meet in our busy days. 

Without that still space we start spinning.  

We become driven people, running all over the place 

without much direction.  

But with that stillness 

God can be our gentle guide 

in everything we think, say, or do.

Henri Nouwen

This was a street side market

in Kampala, Uganda

November 2007

colours bright, voices loud

all seemed a bit chaotic

and I thought

but Lord, you've transformed me

from urban

to a quiet country girl

would you then place me back

in the crowds?

I am unsure 

of what Malawi

will bring

but find hope, peace

and challenge

in Henri's words

to learn to carry

the stillness

with me

in me, always

in the still place with Sandy