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Devotions

The Gift of a Quiet Room

A Quiet Reflection as the Moon Passed Jupiter

The coffee was on when I entered the kitchen. I thank God for a coffee maker with a timer. When I peered through the kitchen window, the crescent moon was shining. Jupiter was just above it, bright. The moon had just finished passing in front of the giant planet.

The refrigerator hummed, and the coffee maker gurgled. All was well as I sat at the kitchen table.

In the predawn hours, the noise was low. It was just the Lord and me. I sat in silence for a while before picking up my pen.

A quiet room is a gift we rarely accept. Notifications, work messages, and breaking news will come soon enough. It’s a gift to come early, sit for a moment, and be still. Psalm 46:10 comes to mind.

Suddenly, I hear the Mission Impossible theme song in my mind. Yes, it’s a sign it’s time to get to work!

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books Christianity discipline

Why We All Need Some Silence

Yesterday was a big day for me. I turned off the phone and I was in silence for most of it. At my wife’s suggestion, I read a book entitled, Invitation to Solitude and Silence, by Ruth Haley Barton.

I know! It was crazy. But what I feared the most actually was one of the richest days I’ve had in a long time.

It came after a busy couple of days. My wife is out of town. I went down to Florida to help him drive his car back to Indiana. And I know work will busy this morning after being out for a day.

I realize silence is a luxury these days. Our television, phones and life’s demands make it almost impossible to find some time for reflection. Yet it is so needed. We all need it.

We all need some time to meditate. We all need some time to consider where we’ve been, where we are and where we are heading. Since I am a Christian, it is even valuable for me to hear the still, small voice of God. 

So this morning, it is back to the workweek. I know I will have plenty to do, as I am sure all of you will too. Through it all, I encourage you to take some time to be silent. Even if it is five minutes during the day, It will do your soul some good.

Cartoon of a boy with a teacher. The boy says, "Recess was okay, but I need a moment of quiet reflection."