Is That an Echo?

Since my Daughter, Son-in-law and the Grandladies moved out I have been hearing strange noises in the house. The quiet has been just slightly unnerving.

There are times after the babies go home and before Patrick arrives that I "hear" babies or the older Grandladies talking in the back bedroom. I know no one is there, but I look anyway. Could it be an echo of what used to be there? I hear allot of the house noises now too. The silence has magnified the whirs and clicks of the fridge and sometimes the buzz of a light bulb. I hear the neighbors working in their yards or leaving their homes in their cars. My breathing and other body noises are also hearable! In the cavern of our open spaces am I hearing echoes reverberating on and on? Even with all these new noises I still like the quiet!

I find that sometimes I need total silence to hear my thoughts and Gods' voice. When I turn off the noise of the world, God's whispers are clearly heard. When I shut my self away into a quiet place I find sorting through thoughts, prayer and even praise is easier and truthfully I feel more alive! I imagine that is what Jesus needed as well. He took time to get away from the crowds and find a spot where He could be alone with His Father. He now calls to us through the prodding of the Holy Spirit to come away with Him. He desires to love us through His word. He wants to have time with us alone!

Loving God, Lover of my soul, You created sound. You made the sounds ebb and flow like the sea. Even in music there is rest, times of silence so that our ears can hear the notes more clearly. You are an awesome God! Thank You for sound and the silence, too. I need to hear You and i need the love You bring.

Silence

Someone has said silence is golden. I am finding out that it is true. I reserve part of my day to sit in silence, work in silence, and rest in silence. Silence is refreshing and renewing!

Our world fights silence. We have media of all kinds blasting at us at all times. We need to make a determined effort to visit ourselves and our Father God in the silence. It is not easy to turn off the phone, radio, t.v. and computer. It is not easy to find time away from the noise of family, friends, coworkers, etc. It takes courage to walk away to a silent place, because that is when we hear the things we have been trying to shut out with the noise.

In the silence we hear our own thoughts much clearer. We hear the whispers of God, and in silence, we feel deeper emotions. Silence has a sound. It is the voice of simple truth if we sit with God. Another truth is that we must silence our own thoughts and words in order to hear the still small voice of our Heavenly Father.

Hearing Gods' voice is one of the most delightful treasures in my life. In the silence He speaks words of love, encouragement, hope and direction. We need the silence to wrap around us so that we may hear His precious voice.

It is time to turn off the noise. There will be another time to hear the music, speak out, and listen to the world, but now is the time to enjoy the gift of silence.

Father, You hear my whispers to You in the dark of night. You sit in silence waiting for me to join You in a time of refreshing and renewal. Your voice is all I want and I choose to turn away from the world in order to hear Your voice. Thank You for loving me in the quiet places and in the chaos of noise. Thank You for letting me go deeper into Your heart when the hush falls over me. Speak silence into my life and heart that I might know You more! I love You, Lord!