Finding Time for Silence in a Noisy World

Good morning out there!

My weather report for today is:

Cool morning breeze, blue skies, and a sun shiny day! 

Jim and I were out of town over the weekend. Before we headed home on Sunday, we found a Catholic Church nearby and went to the 11:00 am Mass. We walked into St. James Catholic Church, dipped our fingers into the holy water, made the sign of the cross, and found a place to sit. We were early and had time to kneel and say our prayers and also take in the beauty of the church. The silence and peace filled my heart. A young man, kneeling at the other end of our pew caught my eye. I could almost feel the intensity of his prayer. I began to pray for him and tears filled my eyes as I thought about how much God loves us. The following scripture came to my mind.

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden light."

My heart filled to overflowing as I saw families, large and small, couples, young and older, and single people fill the pews. Tears spilled down my cheeks with joy and hope as I thought about all the churches all across our country and around the world full of people seeking God.

The choir sang a song that has stayed with me and I've been singing parts of it for the past two days. I tried to find it in an old music missal and finally called the church. The secretary was so sweet. She is going to have the Cantor call me back! The part I remember is "Long have I waited for your coming, you belong to me..." "Return to me, with all your heart..." (that's what I've been singing and humming, anyway) If he calls me back...I'll post the name of the song.

(I sent this post out to some of my friends and three of them let me know the name of the song, "Hosea" they even sent me links to the song! This morning, the secretary from the church called me back to share the name of the song! We had a wonderful visit! Love my Catholic community!)

A little quiet time, some silence in our lives is important and truly needed. I have a corner in our living room that is full of plants where the morning sun shines through the window. A small statue of an angel holding a bird in her hands sits among the plants. On a table opposite the plants is a statue of Jesus, the Good Shepherd and a Crucifix hangs on the wall above it. Sometimes I put my phone on silent and sit across from my "Secret Garden" and pray. And then there are times when I just sit in silence, listening for God's voice, His guidance, His reassurance.

Make your own little prayer corner in your home. 

Jim likes to sit at the kitchen table and read the daily scriptures and prayers from our monthly devotional, Magnificat. He wakes up early and goes into the kitchen while I'm still fast asleep and has his quiet time. We keep our bible, the Magnificat, and some other prayer cards on the table. We have a Mama Mary and Baby Jesus night light that sits in the kitchen window and is always on whenever we are home. We also have a picture of the Holy Family hanging on the wall across from the table.

Many Catholic Churches are open during the day before and after daily Mass. If you don't have time to stay for Mass, look for a church close by, find out what time they're open, and go inside and spend some quiet time in prayer. 

In a world full of noise, find a place and time for some silence.

Matthew 7:7-8

"Ask, and it will be given to you;

seek, and you will find;

knock, and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives;

the one who seeks finds;

 and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." 

Peace and blessings to you and yours,

near and far, wherever you are!

Bye for now, Sharla