Today’s Word from Deacon Amy…
I love sitting outside at nighttime and listening to the sounds. It’s amazing how much you can hear in the silence.
A couple of nights ago, I sat outside the barn and just listened to the dark. Mostly, I heard the sounds of the goats contentedly munching on their hay. Of course, one of them would occasionally give a grunt as her neighbor shoved her aside, but mostly it was just methodical chewing and the sound of hay being pulled from the racks. Occasionally, I’d hear the jingle of tags as our Livestock Guardian Dogs were making their rounds. Across the driveway, the ducks would make some quiet quacking sounds as they resettled themselves into a cozy little pile.
Farther away, I could hear the coyotes start up their whining and howling – this would set our dogs off on their perimeter barking – no way those coyotes would come near our critters.
Occasionally I get to hear an owl or two calling out – I love those sounds. We don’t often hear frogs where we are now, but at our former home, the sound of frogs was a sure sign of spring approaching.
It’s truly amazing how much you can hear when you listen in the silence.
It seems to me that more often than not, we can all benefit from spending some time in silence. Taking time to be still and listen can be restorative. Psalm 46:10 reminds us to “Be still and know that I am God.” A moment of stillness, a few minutes of quiet, are an excellent opportunity to remember to lean into God – lay your burdens down and listen for God’s response. Listen as God lifts those worries from your shoulders and wraps you in a loving embrace.
Sit. Breathe. Listen. Enjoy the silence.
Deacon Amy
