I look forward to Thursdays when I can publish thoughts on my spiritual journey and hear the thoughts of others on a weekly theme topic. It has become a space for an encouraging and fortifying community to come together. We welcome anyone who would like to join us!
This week's theme topic is MOMENT OF SILENCE.
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. - Psalm 62:5
But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him. - Habakkuk 2:20
Earlier this week I realized Thursday was fast approaching, and I didn't have any ideas for a theme topic. I was completely blank, so I tweeted out to the Spiritual Journey Thursday community asking for help, and the first reply that resonated with me was Amy Smith's (@JayhawkTN) idea, Moment of Silence.
I had to laugh. That morning, my husband came down to the kitchen and jested, "Hear that?! The sound of silence!" I laughed and told him that my ears were ringing from all the talking over the weekend. I enjoyed all the talking - my mom, mother-in-law, and one of my best friends, Annie, were all in town for the Memorial Day weekend to celebrate a bridal shower given by Libby's "Honorary Aunts" (my best friends). We also celebrated another of my best friend's daughter's high school graduation. There were multiple, large gatherings that involved A LOT of talking, laughing, and overall noise. My husband says we all talk so much that he can't imagine anyone is listening. He might be right!
As much as I loved it ALL, the silence afterward was a welcome relief. I have to admit, I craved it, and a little solitude as well. I tried so hard the whole weekend to stay FOCUSED and to enjoy the moment, the people, and the overwhelming blessings, even though it was filled with preparations, busy-ness, and clean up. I did pretty well - there was a moment during the shower when I stopped to take a deep breath, look around at all the friends and family who had gathered to celebrate Libby and Jamie's marriage, and paused with gratitude before everything passed in a frenzy. Time goes so fast.
I know God loves us all to get together, talk, and have fun, but I also know that He, too, wants our company. When we spend time with Him, He wants us to stop talking all the time and be silent. We can only commune with Him and listen to what He is saying if we're quiet. In the midst of all that is happening in my life right now, I need to take the time to do that.
And when my friends and family gather again, I'm sure my husband would appreciate it if we all talked less and listened more!
I know it's not December, but this is my favorite spiritual song about silence:
Being such a talker, I struggle with this! With a few more weeks of school, I'm in the CRAZY time and it's a time when I CRAVE silence!!!! I can't get enough. I needed to read this and to write about this today. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your constant inspiration. This group makes me want to BE more. Silence is something I have to intentionally insert into my day. It helps me focus. I love hearing about your weekend, what a fun time for you, your family, and friends. I hope today gives you perspective and peace. Enjoy every moment!
ReplyDeleteAs you prepare for the wedding, I'm sure finding moments of silence is harder and harder. I remember at my own wedding, I wanted to press the pause button to take it all in and just feel happy. Thanks for keeping us thinking about our spiritual journeys. I take that moment of silence to gather my thoughts and offer them to others. Writing helps me sort and understand myself.
ReplyDeleteIn exciting times, silence can be elusive. Congratulations on your daughter's upcoming wedding. Silence doesn't have to come in a moment stolen away by oneself. It can come in the clinking of wine glasses in celebration, in the saying of vows, in the hugs of loved ones. My wish for you is that you recognize the silence in the blessings all around you as you get closer to celebrating this special day.
ReplyDeleteSilence can be wonderful. Time to write and reflect. My post, however, this week is a call to action. I used the prompt in a poem. I love that you had a great time this weekend. We had family over too. Congrats on the upcoming wedding. :)
ReplyDeleteHolly, the way you handled the topic allows for much reflection. Yes, the flutter of family talk can be a joyous one that leads to a sense of communion with one another. I understand how a deep longing for quiet and silent moments following your weekend would be needed. Your family pre-wedding gatherings are important events that are leading up to a great day for Libby and Jamie. May the love of the Lord shine on them as they prepare for their holy vows. Mother Theresa's quote has given me hope that God speaks in the quiet of our hearts and all we need to do is LISTEN. My OLW comes back to me in your writing. Thank you for this topic that I needed to reflect on before writing. It was my moment of silence that gave me food for thought.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Oh how I need to be still with Him this summer.
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