Growth in Silence

Since the start of advent our family has been more intentional about taking time out of our days to pause and reflect in silent prayer. In addition, we've been adding more time in our family prayers and devotions as well as our individual time with God. I'm not writing this in boastfulness but rather to encourage the practice because it has certainly been fruitful. The efforts to draw near to God are never in vain, as He promises to, in return, draw near to us (James 4:8). While circumstances and life's difficulties haven't and won't all disappear, instead we are receiving more grace in our daily living to triumph through uncertain or difficult times. Gods mercy is so abundant!!! 

Teá and I have been reading "Clare's Costly Cookie" by Julie Kelly. It's about a young girl as she develops a prayer life and grows closer to Jesus. Usually it is shortly after having gotten in trouble that she turns to Jesus in prayer for some conversation with Him. She tells Him whatever is in her heart and then she sits quietly and just listens. After listening and being silent, she begins her conversation with The Lord once again about what came to her mind and what she felt like Jesus was telling her. Her time of prayerful silence lead to a deeper understanding of Gods ways and how He would like her to live. It's really a beautiful book! Very fitting for us right now, too, since we've been trying to "sit quietly and listen" more often.

I also came across this lovely quote from Mother Teresa of Calcutta recently. 

"We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence...we need silence to be able to touch souls."

~Mother Teresa of Calcutta~

"Be still, and know that I am God." 

~Psalm 46:10~