In The Silence . . .

Captured Serenity

COFFEE!!! . . . not only does it offer great social connection opportunities, but also a wonderful addition to quiet and peaceful moment alone.

I love people and connecting.  Most who meet me, realize that right away.  I also love the silence and being able to pull away and enjoy serene moments to myself.  However, I was not always like this.  When I wasn’t downright disappointed during those silent phases, I was tolerating it.  Now, I’ve come to treasure those moments. 

God speaks to me in the midst of the noise and the busy aspects of life as I remain open to His leadings, however, it is through those silent periods I have learned valuable insights about myself and about life.  Sometimes, I didn’t like it!  I realized there were areas of refinement that had to take place, and I hated such issues were there at all. 

Other times, it revealed areas of faith and joy that I needed stretching in.  It was easy to be joyful and full of faith when things were happening.  When things either weren’t happening, or worse yet, problems arising in addition to feeling alone in those moments, it was tough to have that warm, joyful, and full-of-faith attitude emanating within and through me!  It was through questioning and opening up to God, that His gentle voice really resounded in my spirit how much I needed to be that SAME person no matter my circumstance, or mood.  Either way, God was the awesome God He was, and I could rejoice not only in how good He was, but in what He was doing in other people’s lives!  Oooo, that was hard!  As humans, we have emotional moments and that’s okay.  What I mean is a constant state of mind for a time being. 

It’s also not easy when you’re feeling alone, depressed, and sort of forgotten.  You can know a lot of people, be connected, and still feel forgotten.  I think at times, we all hit a point where we struggle with that feeling, even if it is nowhere near an actual fact.  So, in those silent times, it was then God said, “Me.” – “What about Me?” – “Do you trust ME?” – “What about OUR relationship.”  Wow.  Ouch.  Ugh.  As a Christian who has passionately loved God for as long as I could remember, such areas were easy for me to overlook in the midst of life’s activities.  

Silent times also allow a person to grow beyond levels of dependence from those added life enrichments.  It’s easy to want to search for more at a consistent occurrence because they are so good!  But it’s also easy to overlook the enrichment and insights that silent periods have to offer…especially the ones that seem to happen at such an “inconvenient time”!

If it weren’t for those silent times or lack of affirmation in different areas from different people, I would not have grown and developed in very important areas in my character, and in my relationship with the One who meant the most to me and ultimately called and designed me be who I am, love as I love, and to do what I do.  In turn, when my relationship with God was enriched, my relationship with my husband and my son was enriched, and when my relationship with my family was enriched, my relationships and thought life with others were enriched.  There’s a reason it’s important to have a daily relationship with God, and to depend on God, and God alone…not for a blind following, a homework outlook in performance, and legalistic reasons that don’t make sense.

So, I encourage you to shut out what everyone else is doing, where they are going (physically/successfully), or whatever else is going on in their lives, and to instead embrace your silent phase and enjoy those serene moments.

PS --

Tips in a Social Media Prevalent World:

• Not everyone who thinks fondly of you, or is thoughtful of you, will show such activity on Facebook (or other social media).  Whether it is through likes, comments, or shares.  NEVER base your worth or earthly presence on social media activity.  Also, never include a comparison!  This is something I was adamant about in my social media life and thought was quite silly, yet, I was still pleasantly surprised when people, face-to-face with me, would express how much they knew was going on in my life, how thoughtful they were of me, etc..  Or, how some when not face-to-face, would mention things that showed they kept up with me or were thoughtful, it surprised me.  So, I made a mental note to pass that on to you!!  In those silent moments, I can see how going to social media could amplify those feelings of loneliness and self-worth.
  
  

---

Thinking of you,

           Robyn