Silence: A Poem
by Whitney R. Simpson

She is my companion
yet I avoid her gaze

She is my teacher
yet I push back at her instruction

She is my guide
yet I veer from her course

She is my friend
yet I wonder why she comes near

She is my gift
and I long to savor her more fully

She is inviting me to a oneness with God,
listen...do you hear her?

Why not?

I avoid her gaze
because at first she looks lonely

I push back at her instruction
because of my own agenda

I veer from her course
because I am easily distracted

I wonder why she comes near
because there is always another choice

Yet I long to savor her
like never before

And once I say yes to her
I receive an awareness I never knew
​she could introduce to me

She is my companion,
my teacher,
my guide,
my friend

She is God's gift

​Silence

Every time I start to get overwhelmed, I am reminded to rest.  And yet, my initial response is that I have too much to do to rest.  You know the drill.  The kids, the job, the house, the family, the friends, the church, the place you volunteer down the road, or even the shelter downtown - they ALL need you!

Guess what?  They do need you!  Without you, there will be no one to fold the laundry, help with homework, kiss the boo-boos, build friendships, give to the church, or volunteer in the community.  But, here is the big news flash!  You don't have to do it all at once and you aren't expected to do it all when you are exhausted.

We need rest.  God designed us to rest.  He even rested.  He tells us that he will give us rest!  So, why do we think that we are special and we do not need to rest?  If you are guilty of forgetting to rest and take care of yourself, you are not alone.  This has been a skill set I have been working on for quite some time.  What is interesting is that many of us simply don't know where to start.  Most of us have not been modeled rest or taught well how to rest by our society.

So, I'm sharing some small changes I've made to incorporate rest in my life and hope that by sharing my list it may help you to expand your list.  Read it through, get some ideas and get some rest!  

• Hang windchimes on your deck, patio or outside your front door for a calming reminder.
• Get away alone or with your significant other.  Vacations are great.  But, let's be honest...if you have children, you are more exhausted after vacation than you were before you left.  If a full day or weekend is impossible, ask a friend to help help with the kid(s) and get away for a few hours.
• Take a bath.  Add a few drops of lavender oil.
• Ask for help with the laundry, the house, etc.
• Steep a cup of hot tea.
• Move.  Do some yoga, dance alone or with the kids or take a walk.
• Sit still.  Yes, just sit there for 5 minutes and do nothing (don't even think about checking your phone)!
• Listen.  Go outside and enjoy the sounds of the leaves falling, the birds or the crickets.
• If you have easy access to the internet (which I assume you do if you are reading this), download the Pandora app on your computer or phone and add a classical station or some music from Deuter.
• Think.  Journal or read.
• Breathe deeply.  Most of us don't breathe deeply.  Use your diaphragm and breathe into your entire being.
• Eliminate noise.  Turn off the radio, television or even that Pandora station if you're simply feeling like you may explode due to over-stimulation.
• Unplug.  Turn off the alerts on your phone and computer and resist the urge to check in to see what you may have just missed.
• Go to bed!  Yes, this may sound pretty simple but it is proven that our bodies need sleep to refuel.
• Get a hobby and discover what you love.  Learn to knit, sew, play an instrument, paint or take pictures.  Doing something can be restful and rejuvenating, if you are doing it to rest rather than keep busy!  I am finding that I like to re-purpose old things for new uses, it is fun and inexpensive!

You may think that it is impossible to get away with God and find rest in today's society with all that is resting on your shoulders.  But, it really is possible.  And, in the long run, you may just find you are more productive.  Or, you may find that the less important things in life just fall right off your list.  What gives you rest?

I'm signing off to go stretch and then sleep while the dishes await!  Happy rest!

On Sunday night, I was asked to speak at one of my favorite places, Gallatin C.A.R.E.S.  This non-profit started by providing basic needs of food and economic relief and has grown into a place that cares for the soul as well.  They have a worship service that meets on Sunday evenings and I enjoy slipping in for worship.  I usually go alone but I never leave feeling alone.  

This past Sunday night was no exception.  I arrived in plenty of time (too much really)  and looked like a lost puppy as the volunteers prepped the meal for afterward and set up the sound system in preparation for worship.  I read my "sermon" for the millionth time (well, probably not that many, but a lot) and waited.  

My sinuses and allergies have been troubling this past week (along with nearly every other Tennessean) and so cough drops and water were my friend.  I have never shared a full message before.  I have been part of a "Youth" or "Young Adult" Sunday where you take turns running the service.  But, this was my first "real" sermon.  When I was asked if I would speak, my friend had to remind me that I was an "official Lay Speaker" in the church and trained to do this because I was trying to think of someone else who could fill in.  But, there was a little nudge that God wanted me to do this.  So, I said yes.  

The message was on 1 John 4 and Love.  God's love.  And, I can summarize it pretty easily:  God loves us so much that Jesus died for us and we are now to love as Jesus loved.  Love one another for God is love.  And, that is what Gallatin C.A.R.E.S. is all about.  They are God's love to the community every day by offering food, services, health care, worship, family and friendship.  They offer this to everyone.

Aren't we all called to be God's love each and every day?  I have been saddened this week by some hateful posts people have made on Facebook and Twitter.  I really don't think Jesus wants us to treat each other the way we often do.  And, history has not modeled for us well how to treat God's people with love and care.  

Now, I have learned that you shouldn't say "no" to God.  But, at this point in my calling, I do not feel called to pastor or preach.  But, as I shared that night, I was reminded that I feel called to share God's love and his message of hope and healing.

Funny enough, I awoke to silence on Monday morning.  My voice was completely gone - laryngitis had settled in.  I have had a few days to think about this message  and why it is so difficult for us as humans to model the love to one another that Jesus modeled for us.  And, while, I may not have a voice, I do not feel silenced.  Because I do not think that I need to shout God's love to share it.  Sometimes, I need to sit back and soak it up in the silence so I can remember for myself how much He loves me.  Sometimes I need to step out and share it by telling someone about it with a whisper.  Sometimes I need to put God's love into action by doing something that looks more like shouting.  

No matter what it looks like for me or for you in any season, I just can't shake the feeling that God wants us to really love on each other.  I mean, really love each other and our differences.  Not just pretend like we do when we see each other at the local grocery store.  I had a friend make a post "complaining" about the service she received at her local Kroger on Facebook and within 12 hours there were 47 responses debating and defending the pros and cons of the rivaling local Publix and Kroger grocery chains.  Why are we so ready to defend our favorite grocery chain but so reluctant to defend God's people?  We'd rather beat them down and shout how wrong everyone else is.  Speck, meet plank.    

So, I am going to try to love.  I'm going to try to love all of God's people.  I will not be perfect at it, I will fail.  I will be judgmental and not even realize it.  I will be un-lovable at home and away from home.  But, I'm going to try and not be silenced.  I'm going to try and give God's people the love that God has given me.  Even if I have to do it in a whisper.