Summer is over. The school year has begun. I spent 30 minutes the other day entering activities, snack schedules, meetings, programs into my Outlook calendar. Even with a concerted effort to be “less” busy this year…only one sport for the family this fall…no music lessons…only one Bible study for me...life is full.

There is a constant pull to “do” and “be” more. Text messages I need respond to and phone calls to return. Thank you notes to write and emails needing replies. Even the good things take time. When I wrote about “re-charging” my battery a few weeks ago I shared my desire to do life-giving activities…crocheting (have yet to do that), reading, hanging out with friends.

Yet, the only place I’ve found true restoration and life is in His presence. Taking the time to BE STILL. To quiet all the voices requiring something of me and just sit with God who requires nothing. I’ve found the only way to be close to the mom I want to be is making time in stillness with my Heavenly Father.

Given my own realization of the importance of keeping God center & spending time in His presence, I was thrilled to share this resource with you.  Lisa Chan, ,wife of pastor Francis Chan (“Crazy Love”), released a new video series this month entitled, True Beauty: Finding Your Identity in Jesus. The first video in this series is called, “Be Still”:

Lisa Chan believes that in our quest to do it all, women are missing God. “Be Still” addresses the issues that confront women when they forget to spend time with Jesus—something that, like most women, Chan struggled with herself.

As a mother of five children, Lisa knows firsthand what
it means to be overwhelmed, overcommitted, and out of time. It was an unplanned, extended time alone with God that fueled her desire to encourage every woman to see the beauty of coming before the Lord in stillness. She has seen firsthand that women in the church are suffering from depression, anxiety, and stress at alarming rates—and recognizes that women need to make the choice to find hope and healing and truth from God’s presence and through His Word.

This video is beautifully created by the Flannel production team. Lisa gently & honestly share her own struggle to know what it means to “love God.” Intermingled throughout the video, Susan shares the story of how God met her in the midst of a broken marriage. How reading one verse over and over gave her the “glimmer of hope” and strength she needed.

Do you get caught up in all the busyness and distractions that you miss sitting at the feet of Jesus each day? Do you think watching a T.V. show, scanning the Facebook newsfeed, or scrapbooking to perfection will fill your deep spiritual needs? (this one stings a little) Do you know what it feels like to really love God & desire more time with Him?

Here is a video clip with more about Lisa’s heart for women to know true beauty:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu48zbVF7SQ?rel=0]
Great news! Lisa is offering a copy of this video to one special GodCenteredMom reader. This would be a wonderful resource to give to a friend who is struggling or to watch with a small group or Bible study. To be entered to win, please leave a comment below, or click here if you are reading in your email.

{The giveaway will be open until September 13th. The giveaway is officially over. Thank you to all who entered! Hope you are able to watch a copy for $1, download for $7 and currently get the DVD for $9…click this link–>Be Still video

“God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble…

He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.'” Psalm 46:1 & 10