Thursday, February 11

Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.

Psalm 46.10

Many of us are surrounded by noise most of our waking hours. Just last week, the fire alarm went off at Alcott and was deafening. How about the “ping” signifying the receipt of a new text message? Then there’s my teenager’s selection of music as he brushes his teeth. I can’t forget the “white” noise that helps me fall asleep or the ticking of the kitchen clock that seems louder when I’m alone in the house. And, the neighbor’s dog barking at a squirrel.

Lent is a time for reflection and prayer as we prepare our hearts for Easter. How easy is it to reflect when there’s so much “noise” around us? Mother Teresa said, “We need to find God, and He cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature — trees, flowers, grass — grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence.... We need silence to be able to touch souls.”

During this season of Lent, I’m going to look for the beauty in silence. Maybe it won’t be complete silence – maybe it will be the quiet joy in the exclamation of a young student at Alcott who has written his/her name by themselves for the first time; maybe it will be the passing of peace in the sanctuary with a warm handshake and smile; or maybe it will be a handwritten letter sent to a dear friend.

Make time for quiet moments,
as God whispers and the world is loud.
~ Author Unknown

And when Lent culminates in the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can exalt God with our “joyful noises,” as we’re encouraged to do in Psalm 98:4: “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.”

Loving Father ~ Help me find peace and contentment in the quiet moments of this Lenten season. Thank you for your guidance, day in and day out, in finding those special times where silence and reflection bring me closer to You and able to do Your work. Amen

Stephanie Kummer