Dawn was breaking and I could see the daylight streaming through
the bedroom window. It was a little
after five in the morning. Thank the Lord Hubby was sleeping and breathing normally. I was glad to have strung together a few hours of sleep myself.
Sitting up in bed I noticed how quiet it was. Since it was a cooler night we shut off the air conditioner and only needed the fans. I love nights like that don't you?
Stretching my arms toward the ceiling I began my daily chat with the Lord. I closed my eyes and just listened as I drank in the tranquility.
Off in the distance I could hear the sounding whistle of the train growing faint as it rolled out of town. The only sound now was the quiet whisper of a fan motor. It was divine!
Then the silence broke and the conversations of the day before were louder in my head than the roaring locomotive that just past the area.
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New on DFB – Argentina,
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Mexico.
USA – Daytona Beach, FL; Willow Springs, MO, Brookings, OR. Thank you for your
continued support.I hope I didn’t leave anyone out; thank you for sharing this Outer Journey on Daily Favor. (DFB - Daily Favor Blog)
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Visit the Q& A.
Be Quiet and Listen
Quietness may not be all that it’s cracked up to be when the Holy Spirit
gets hold of the silence. It’s during
the stillness and quiet times when He can speak to us and get our
attention.
Although I welcome the interaction of God in my life, sometimes I don’t
always feel like a lesson … you know what I mean? Nonetheless, I got one and received it in my
heart.
Those who are following this journey with me know what’s been happening
in my daily schedule since Hubby’s heart attack. One thing that I have really learned in life,
is that in order for me to be a help to those around me I have to be a good listener.
Learning to listen quietly isn’t always easy for a teacher, preacher or speaker. We tend to interject and take over the
conversation without realizing it, and certainly not on purpose. Being quiet and listening are skills that have
to be learned continually by all of us; age has nothing to do with that.
I noticed that when it came to listening to all the instructions from the
doctors, staff and anyone else concerning my husband’s new lifestyle, I was
attentive and eager to keep quiet. However,
when I was with friends my attention was easily diverted and maybe not as
considerate. That’s what the Holy Spirit
was leading me towards in my scripture readings…
learning to be still is not necessarily being quiet.
 |
| Talking Doll |
We have learned through the first part of our journey, the inward part, how
to be still and let God work in our lives.
Our parents would quietly lean over in church and whisper “be still”
hoping to get us to sit without moving.
Sitting still and watching God move on a situation isn’t necessarily
being quiet. I can sit in one place and
be as still as the chair, but while doing that I can be a “chatty Cathy” (like the
talking doll) not hearing a thing anyone else is saying.
Being Still Isn’t Being Quiet
After some morning doctor appointments we had the opportunity to visit with
a few friends. They were an older couple
who had just come from the same heart doctor as Hubby’s. Larry had a pace maker put in a few months
ago, and Joy had a heart attack in August around the same time as my husband.
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| Be Quiet, Talk Less & Listen More |
We were comparing notes on the care received and all reports were glowing
about the staff.
The men and women
carried separate conversations even though we were sitting next to one
another.
Honestly, I have no idea what
my husband said to Larry, because my attention was on my interaction with my
lady friend.
There was something that started to ring true about this “not being quiet
thing”, and it began when Joy’s phone rang. As we were dialoging
her cell phone must have rang at least a dozen times, in which she took almost
all the calls.
With each call we paused in the middle of sentences so she could check the message. I understand that we
all have calls that we sometimes must take, and that wasn’t the issue.
Finally, Joy noticed that our time was being
stolen; she was the one who put the phone in her purse. With phone out of sight she looked at me and
grabbed my hand gently. In a sweet soft voice Joy said, “Finish your story.” That
was the turning point in our visit.
Although we were not moving about, there was nothing quiet in our stillness
until our focus was on one another.
God’s Peace in Quietness
My conversation with my friend helped me to understand that the peace of
God can be found in times of struggle, frustration and heartache. We just need to know where it is.
 |
| Would you mind being quiet a minute? |
Learning to be quiet when others speak is often a gift from the Lord, to
help you when you don’t know what to do.
Even though we have known these people
most of our lives, God was giving us direction for things we didn’t know. They had been down the road we are
now traveling, several times and it was their time to speak.
The things we learned from being quiet that day and listening actually came
in handy the next day. They had directed us to people we didn’t know and to the
people who showed my husband favor for his treatment.
Our peace came from being open to others
experiences and being willing to act on the leading of the Holy Spirit.
That night the Lord led me to this passage as validation of what I had
learned.
“Then justice will
dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remains in the fruitful field. The work of the righteous will be
peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.
My people will dwell in
a peaceful habitation. In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places, though
hail comes down on the forest, and the city is brought low in humiliation.”
(Isaiah 32:16-19 NKJV)
The Sower: Righteous Work = Peace
The Reaper: Righteous Effect = Quietness and Assurance
The work of my friend was peace to our souls because she knew what we
should ask, who we should see and what to expect. The effect of my Christian friend on us was
quietness, not just physically, but emotionally.
Listen to the Story
We were able to experience peace because there was a time of listening for
direction through our friends stories.
This direction was by God, but through
my friends. How do I know that it was from
the Lord? Their words helped meet our
need.
Receiving spiritual counsel and acting on wisdom is key for living in the
favor of God.
Until we learn to be quiet
and listen, there can be no peace for the soul, and our outward journey will be
exhausting.
That day I was able to see her outward journey in the way she took hold of
the situation and redirected it.
Remember all outward journey actions are being witnessed and are
measurable. You could clearly see how
she was listening to the Holy Spirit’s direction when she responded to hearing
our story.
This Week’s Challenge:
Be Quiet
and Listen
What’s their story? We’re so geared to sharing our story that we often
forget who we shared it with and end up repeating it to the same people. Boring!
Not only is it redundant, you can’t advance in your journey by focusing
on self.
No doubt you will share something with someone this week. Instead of spilling all the details of the daily
activities, try redirecting the conversation back on the other person. Be quiet and actually listen to what they are
saying.
Understand that their work (in your life through godly words) is favor from
God. It will bring you into enjoying
peace or quietness in spirit, soul and body.
It’s our sowing that is the object of the favor of God being
shown on His children.
In the words of the prophet Samuel, let me boldly declare:
“Then Samuel said to
Saul, “Be quiet! And I will tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” And he
said to him, “Speak on.” (1 Samuel 15:16 NKJV)
 |
| Lily from Princess Diaries |
The entire world around you may be at unrest, but you don’t have to be. Learn
to be quiet, and let others talk. Be a cheerful listener.
I Will Listen by Twila Paris
Until
next time, there is favor in being quiet.
“Be quiet, and I will tell you.”
– Jesus Christ
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