* Silence

Silence; it’s a difficult challenge for our culture. We don’t like to be quiet. We feel like we have to fill every moment with noise and activity. My silent place is in a rocking chair on my front porch. I like to sit there alone and simply listen to whatever God sends my way. It might be the sound of the wind blowing through the trees in my yard, a bird singing or at times not any sound, simply stillness. Mother Teresa said, “God is the friend of silence”. I have found that silence can bring much needed peace to my busy life.  It restores me.

There are other times when silence can be a gift to others. When someone is going through an illness or has suffered a devastating loss, simply being there for that person can be enough. If you can’t think of anything to say it may be because the thing they need most is you, not your words. Be silent and listen to them. Sit quietly with them and share their pain. Don’t tell them it will be okay or assure them all is well because for them at that moment, it is not. Being silent shows your love and concern in a powerful way. Let them talk, cry or whatever it is they need to do to deal with what they are facing.

Today I challenge you to take a few minutes and find a silent place. Then practice being silent. Learning to be silent when you are alone helps you to be silent when others need you to be silent for them. Silence is healing.

Blessings, Cindy J