Be Still

“Be still, and know that I am God.
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth!”

(Psalm 46:10)

The Dedication:

​

​For the "Zoomers" and the "Beepers"—

For every child who feels the world a little too loudly.

​And for the Grandpas—

The quiet anchors who teach us that the best way to find our way through the noise is to simply be still.

​Dedicated to the memory of those who taught us to listen.

 

Above is silent story based on my short story of the same title:

Once there was an old man who took his grandson a walk in the countryside. The old man's face was creased with wrinkles. Like the rings inside an ancient log tree, each signified age and wisdom. The man, to the boys surprise stopped suddenly. He was calm, so calm the boy didn't feel it right to interrupt this moment of solititude. 'Listen', the old man said. The boy listened. At first he could hear nothing but his own racing thoughts. 'Truly listen', the man said sensing the boys difficulty. So he tried again. He closed his eyes, took a breath and opened them again. 'I hear it', he whispered. They both fell silent again and listened to the gentle winds and the birds in the trees, and further a field the beautiful sound of a babbling brook. Then they listened to silence itself. 'This my child is real worship.' 'To Jesus?' 'To Jesus.'

​A Note from the Author:

​I wrote this story to honor the quiet bond between generations and the unique way children—especially those who experience the world with heightened sensitivity—can teach us about true presence.

​As a Highland Theological College graduate and a non-conformist follower of Jesus, I have spent much of my life exploring the "crossroads of neurodiversity and faith." This story is born from that intersection. To "be still" is not just about stopping our bodies; it is about hushing our racing thoughts until we can hear the "babbling brook" of God's grace.

​Even when those we love are no longer sitting beside us in the field, the silence they taught us to love remains a sacred space. It is a place where we can always find them, find our true selves, and find the God who speaks in the stillness.

The Grandpa Method: A Guide for Quiet Moments

​For many neurodivergent children, the world is often "too loud, too fast, and too much." As a follower of Jesus living at the crossroads of neurodiversity and faith, I believe stillness is a gift we can help our children unwrap.

​Here is how you can use this book to practice "Real Worship" with your child:

​1. Identify the "Zoom and Beep"

​Before starting the story, ask your child what sounds in their world feel like the city at the beginning of the book. Validating their sensory overwhelm is the first step toward peace.

​2. Practice the "Ancient Tree" Breath

​Like Grandpa in the story, encourage your child to be "calm, so calm."

• ​The Action: Close your eyes, take one slow breath in (smelling the field), and one slow breath out (whispering "be still").

​3. The Three Layers of Listening

​Grandpa taught the boy to listen in layers. You can try this at home or outside:

• ​Layer 1: Listen to the "Racing Thoughts" (acknowledge the noise inside).
• ​Layer 2: Listen to the "Creation" (find one specific sound, like a bird or a clock ticking).
• ​Layer 3: Listen to the "Silence Itself" (resting in the knowledge that God is there).

​4. Faith in the Shadows

​If your child is grieving or missing someone, use the image of the shadow to explain that love and wisdom don't disappear—they become part of the quiet spaces where we meet Jesus.

​A Closing Prayer:

"Lord, help us to hush the noise of the world so we can hear the music of Your peace. Amen."