"I wanted to do nothing"
Philemon 1:14
I had to do nothing one day last week.
For several minutes.
Well, sort of...
I was helping in the Children's Department at my church, and I was the "floater" which means it was my job to float from classroom to classroom, to see if any of the teachers needed me to get them anything, or if any of the children needed to be escorted to the bathroom. But it's a small church, so we only have four classrooms, and none of them are full. So none of the teachers really had their hands full, so I wasn't needed for much.
So I "floated" from classroom to classroom every few minutes, but in the meantime, I did nothing. I stood outside the building where all the classrooms are, so that I could direct any latecomers to the class they sought. But none came. So I did nothing.
Well, sort of....
See, while I was doing nothing, I came to the conclusion that one cannot really do nothing. So I thought I'd share with you the many things I did, while I was doing "nothing".
Walking ~ I wanted to make myself available to any class that might need me, so I slowly made my way from one class to the next, to the next, in a circuit. Part of the time it was outside, so I was able to enjoy the fresh air, and the beauty around me. But I was also enjoying the walking. One of the things I hate most in the world is being bored. Walking is good exercise, a pleasant way to spend a few minutes and continually changes the view. And the best way to avoid being bored is to occasionally change the view! ~ "Walking and praising God..." ~ Acts 3:9
Noticing ~ As I walked, I kept noticing new things. A leaf would move in the breeze, or the sun would be in a slightly different place than a few minutes before, and it brought new things to my attention. ~ "Lift up your eyes from where you are, and look..." ~ Genesis 13:14
Studying ~ Once I noticed something, it had my attention, so I studied it. The petals on a flower, the shape or color of a rock. I love to appreciate details! ~ "I devoted myself to study and to explore..." ~ Ecclesiastes 1:13
Looking ~ I'm a curious person by nature, so I found myself looking in areas of the church grounds that I never would have before. I looked up and over and around, wondering what I would see. So interesting! ~ "Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath" ~ Isaiah 51:6
Listening ~ Once all the kids were in their classes, and the parents were in church, it was very peaceful. As I walked down the hallways, I could hear teachers' voices, and children's laughter, and the occasional crying of a young one. When I was outside, I could hear the wind (it was quite breezy that day) and birds. It was lovely... ~ "Listen... stop and consider God's wonders." ~ Job 37:14
Planning ~ I'm a mom and wife, a teacher and student. It's imperative that I'm a few days ahead in my mind, as far as my schedule is concerned. The quiet time allowed me to think about all that He brings to my calendar, and how best to do everything. ~ "Those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness." ~ Proverbs 14:22
Thinking ~ I don't know about you, but I find it's impossible for my mind to rest sometimes. But without a specific purpose for my brain, He could direct my thoughts. ~ "Jesus knew what they were thinking..." ~ Luke 5:22
Singing ~ Are you like me? Do you always have a song in your head? And most of the time, in my head, it's praise music, because that's what I listen to the most. Though I didn't sing out loud while I wandered, He knew that the words and the tune in my head were for Him. ~ "singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" ~ Ephesians 5:19
Looking up ~ I love the sky. I love clouds, and all the shades of blue and gray that the sky can be. And when Jesus returns, He will come in a cloud. This is why I love to look up! ~ "Look up and lift up your head, because your redemption draws near!" Luke 21:28
~ "in everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" ~
1 Thessalonians 5:18
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