Embracing the Quiet
When Mom was still here on this side of heaven, my sis, Karen, and I talked a lot to her even when she was in a sound sleep. We knew her spirit could hear our words. That’s why I put the phone up to her ear when my children and grandchildren called the day before she passed to tell her what she meant to them.
On the day of her passing, I put my daughter’s recorded message up to her ear. Staci talked to her some in German, and while her words of love and song of “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus” were conveyed by a mere recording, Mom took her final breaths listening to them. She HEARD heaven calling her. I just know it!
Then there are times when we talk way too much! Case in point. After a few days at home under hospice care, I wanted to delve into what my husband must have been thinking when he thoughtfully and slowly opened and closed his eyes. I thought maybe he was already seeing his mansion in heaven along with his loved ones waiting for him there.
I asked him about it. After my many words and vowing that if he wanted us to keep standing strong for a miracle, I would stand strong with him. I asked, “So, sweet man, what are you thinking?” His reply was: “Shhh! You talk too much!” He wanted to embrace the sound of silence — not an overzealous gabby woman!
I mentioned it in a previous blog that I am an Election Clerk during the Early Voting period as well as on Election Day, November 8th. My co-workers and I can get quite rowdy when a first-time voter comes through the line. We celebrate them with cheers and clapping.
But usually, while voters are determining their ballot choices with seriousness and attention to the details, it can be incredibly quiet in the room. I’m sure those pondering the choices on their ballots appreciate the quiet.
Quiet – I read an article about the science of quiet. The very fact that there is field of science dedicated to “quiet” is telling about how noisy our world has become. It is hard to tune out the voices of others, the call of social media, and the constant demands to do more and be more. There’s something to be said for God’s words: “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
Have you ever tried to quiet a loud room? Attempting to yell above the crowd usually doesn’t work. It’s far more effective to hush the crowd with a “shhh”. I think that was God’s method when my sweet husband said those “Shhh. You talk too much” words. God’s whisper quiets us, calms us, stills us.
I read that the “white noise” of the world might be the greatest obstacle to our spiritual growth. Apparently, “white noise” is a sound that contains every frequency a human can hear. And because it contains every frequency, it’s difficult to hear any frequency — especially the still, small voice of God. That’s how we forget that God is God. “I neglect God and his angels, for the noise of a fly.” said the English poet John Donne.
Simply put, God often speaks loudest when we’re quietest. Lord, please help us yearn for your still small voice that will encourage us, calm us, and soothe our very noisy lives. If we want to hear the heart of God, silence is the key. If we want the Spirit of God to fill us, then we must be still.”
Heavenly Father, we want to hear Your whispers louder than the noise of the world surrounding us. Speak, Lord, your servants are listening! Amen.