Uncomfortable with Quiet

Photo: breastcanceryogablog.com

With all of my kids at an all-day camp this week, it has been QUIET around my house!!  Of course, this started out just dandy, as I was whipping out some photo books and catching up on some reading before lunch.  But by mid-day, I found myself re-wiping down the kitchen counters and, dare I admit, ironing my pillowcases.  Turns out that peace and quiet can get kind of weird and uncomfortable for this homeschooling mama who is constantly surrounded by boisterousness and noise! (Ahh...but those pillows sure do look so neat and crisp!)

Yesterday, I left to go out for a walk after lunch (something I never get to do without another adult staying back to watch the kids!) and didn't take my phone and earbuds.  No podcast or music--just the quiet of my own footsteps and some chirping birds.

While on my walk I thought and prayed a bit about why this week of quiet is uncomfortable for me, and yet why it is so healing and helpful for my soul.

The Lord brought to mind several passages of Scripture that speak to this healing and holy balm of quiet:

 "For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,
'In returning and rest you shall be saved;
    in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.'"  Isaiah 30:15

You mean my strength doesn't come through crushing my to-do list?!

"Be still, and know that I am God"  Psalm 46:10

Turns out that stilling ourselves and quieting our hearts help us to know who God truly is!

I recalled how Christ Himself woke up in the early morning hours to spend time with God each day:

 "And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he [Jesus] departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed."   Mark 1:35

And I was reminded how God often uses the quiet to minister to us in a unique way.  We see this in the life and ministry of Elijah:

"And he [God] said, 'Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.' And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.  And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'"  1 Kings 19:11-13

You see, God's voice was not in the great and mighty wind, the earthquake, or the fire--His words were wrapped up in the gentle whisper that could be missed in our busy and noisy lives.

How about you, dear friend?  Are you uncomfortable with quiet?  Do you seek time with God away from the busy and noisy distractions of your children, work place, and electronic devices?  I find that I must be proactive in this culture of ours or quiet will never come!  Let us silence our phones, turn off our social media notifications, tuck away our earbuds, turn off our car stereos and sit with God in the quiet, even if it is uncomfortable for us.  I trust that we will find nourishment and peace for our souls that only God can provide in the context of quiet.