Fri. Feb. 25, 2022

Silence

Diane Koehler

Right now, as in every February, my snowdrop flowers are popping their little heads out of the earth. My first flower of the year telling me spring is on it’s way!

I have been asked to write a reflection on “silence”. What does this word mean to you? For me when I think of silence I think of being alone but not lonely, feeling peaceful and listening. Listening to my inner heart or listening to nature, bringing balance in our noisy world. I love nature whether a walk in the woods or in my backyard garden. In this silence I feel a celebration of God’s gifts, the unbelievable beauty we are given. These gifts are free to all. Maybe just take a moment of silence to notice them. It was this last week I noticed my snowdrops. They give me hope that my garden will soon be full of flowers, lush green leaves, bees and butterflies!

Now of course I do not need to be quiet, in silence to enjoy these gifts but when I am quiet, in silence I feel I am honoring God, in God’s presence. I listen and if I am quiet long enough I feel the Holy Spirit is with me. I am not alone.

Within us is the soul of the whole, the wise silence, the universal beauty, the eternal One.

Ralph Waldo Emerson