Total Silence

²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.-Matthew 14:23


How often do we get to experience real silence.  There's always something... cars going by, someone watching TV, birds chirping, the hum of the A/C or refrigerator.  But I got to experience total silence yesterday on my hike.  


It's amazing how the mountain has changed since I began hiking regularly in May. Late Spring, Summer, Fall and now the edge of winter.  At the top of the loop that I hike, you are too far from the creek and the river to hear them.  I suddenly noticed the quiet.  There were no leaves or nuts left to fall from the trees, no scampering squirrels and surprisingly, no birds.


I stood and listened.  It was strange, but wonderful.  I immediately felt connected to God.  I stood quietly like that for 2 or 3 minutes until I finally heard a jet in the distance and the moment passed.


How can we get more quiet in our lives?  I'm convinced we need it.  But how?  Every second of our lives is crammed with noise.  I think we should try.  Maybe we can't get do it every day or even every week, but maybe we should try to get to some of the quiet places like the mountains or the woods.  And in between we should try to do the best we can... turn off the T.V and the I-Pod and put the phone on silent.  And just be still.  And connect with God.


Father,
Help us to find some silence in our lives and spend it getting closer to you.  Amen.


Joys: great hike; total silence; Friday