Power. There’s a lot to be said for that one little word. Today I started musing about power when a ferocious storm knocked out our electricity. It was early morning. Cadi was still thinking about getting up to start the day. I turned on the computer thinking that the worst of the storm had passed. The house was quiet — or so I thought. The minute the power went out, we listened to complete and utter silence in between rumbles of thunder.

The electric power all around us gives off a hum that we seldom notice. The ceiling fan whirs, the computer gives out a constant high-pictched but quiet hum. The refrigerator creaks and groans. All these sounds disappeared, and the first thing we noticed was the void.

“Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)

These days it’s hard to be still. We press on in all of our business, running the kids here, there and everywhere. We rush to sign up for little league baseball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, football, gymnastics, dance, drama, choir — and our kids’ lives get so scheduled that they don’t have even a moment to BE STILL. As a homeschool mom eager to make sure my child isn’t shorted on social interactions, I’ve found myself with no time at all to be still. The only day of the week we weren’t running somewhere was Monday. While most of the world cringes at Mondays, I’ve been eagerly embracing them because those are the days I’m not driving all over town.

But we’ve taken a new direction (it’s that GPS, you know!) We’ve dropped a couple of activities so we’re not running so much. The extra time will be well spent in drinking in His power. I’ve found that the times I am still are the times the Lord speaks to me. He refreshes me. I am NOT the Energizer Bunny; my batteries need powerful charging.

“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” Jeremiah 31:25

The Lord who created the universe, who set the stars in the sky one by one, the one who calls us each by name — He himself refreshes me! How does this happen? It’s not as if I have a power cord sticking out of my back that I plug into a great big outlet in the sky. No, it is the power of the Holy Spirit, the gift that Jesus gives to all who believe in Him.

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…” (Acts 1:8)

I don’t know about you, but it’s very easy to let busyness drown out the gentle whispers of the Holy Spirit. To be sure, there have been times that He’s yanked me off the wrong path — but those times weren’t very pleasant and were sure results of my refusal to do what I knew to be right. When I’m too busy to make time to Be Still for God, I don’t hear.

“Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.”

Lord, let me NOT be spiritually dull and indifferent! If I am too busy, I stop loving others. I get irritated by the traffic because I’m running late for piano lessons. A school bus turns in front of me and I mutter under my breath. Let me instead breathe words of prayer for the children on the bus! Let me be so filled with love for others that I shine with Your power.

The power came back on after about three hours. During our three hour pioneer lifestyle, we brought our school books down to the living room so we could sit and read by the big windows. The silence was actually nice, and we were forced to Be Still. How about you? Have you had a moment today when you can sit still and let the power of the Lord refresh your spirits?