A Season of Silence: Experiencing God’s Peace

“Silence is the perfectest herald of joy: I were but little happy, if I could say how much.” -William Shakespeare Much Ado About Nothing

Words have been hard for me lately. Silence is easier. I wasn’t so full of joy I could not share like Claudio in the above quote. The big emotions – all of them – silenced me.

Joy in family and work (I now have a full-time job) and church.

Grief as I let go of things I love and trips I planned to take for my foot health.

Excitement as I try new things.

Inadequacy as everything is different in this season.

Frustration over many customer service issues that were poorly handled.

Mixed-up crazy of parenting three wonderfully human kids.

And there in the midst of my van being in the shop for three weeks, a boot on my foot for over four months, kids being kids, and the learning curve of my new job staring me in the face…there – in the beautiful mixed-up crazy, joyful, grieving, loving, bickering, imperfect of it all – was my Savior, Jesus. And He always brings peace, the kind that passes understanding.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 ESV

And His peace kept me quiet. His peace filtered through my big emotions – the joy and love, sorrow and grief. His peace softened my heart to enjoy the love and revel in the joy God gave. His peace silenced the storms of anger and heartbreak. The anger and heartbreak did not go anywhere. He just silenced the damage that the anger and heartbreak can wreak. His peace protected my heart from the lies of inadequacy. I still do not know all I need to know, but I am learning, getting better, growing.

So silence resounded in my heart and mind; silence that marked crazy emotional lows buffered by the peace of Jesus and silence that marked the joy and love enlivened by the peace of my Savior.

And while silence was appropriate for my most recent season, today I put on matching shoes (the first time in over four months). It is time for a new season. A season where Christ’s peace still protects and nurtures me, but one no longer marked by silence.

So here I am trying to blog again…Trying to share what God is teaching me. Trying to rethink my thinking in light of God’s Word so I can live transformed.

Care to join me?