Even in a busy city, a large snowfall tends to slow down the hectic pace of commuters and travelers. City sounds become muffled and vehicles decrease speed in an effort to increase caution.

In a life inundated with deadlines, curfews and time clocks, stillness sometimes seems so elusive. This thought has lingered with me since I attended the final home football game at the University of Tennessee game in Knoxville. After trekking what seemed like miles and finally venturing to our reserved seats in Section KK, high up in the sky just below the JumboTron, amid some 98,000 screaming fans, my ten year-old informed me he was developing one of his infamous migraine headaches.

While we had enjoyed a day of shopping and fun, attending the ballgame was the anticipated climax to a little mini-vacation. Normally the louder the fans, the more I enjoy football. I’ve been known to yell at the defense to step it up or loudly suggest the offensive line block a little better; however, at this particular moment, cocooned in this massive sea of orange and white, the only thing I longed for was a moment of stillness and quiet.

This poignant moment caused me to realize how life gets entirely too chaotic and drama-filled at times and although we often long for a break – a quiet moment of stillness to recoil and refuel – we are often as powerless to the loudness swirling around us just as I was powerless to cause Neyland Stadium to cease the noise and come to a quiet standstill. Our only option when life becomes overwhelming and things begin to spin out of control is to mentally block out the environment surrounding us, bow our heads in prayer and seek the stillness that our minds so desperately need.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (KJV)