Listen to the sound of silence.

I made my first silent retreat in 2004. It’s been 20 years that I have been spending a weekend (or two) away each year just to spend time praying with God. The first few times I went, it wasn’t as peaceful as it is now, you must practice the silence of mind and heart, it is then that God speaks.

Sometimes it would seem that my mind would finally quiet the morning that I was leaving and returning to the world. There are times when I slept more than prayed because life had exhausted me. Now when I pull up the drive, I think my soul exhales and says, yay, we can rest this weekend.

A typical question I hear is, there is no talking at all? What do you do? Well, it’s a guided retreat, so the retreat director presents topics to the group and then you have time to ponder and pray. There is spiritual direction and confession available so you need to talk for that, but eating, walking, moving about all is quiet.

Sometimes I have specific prayers, often I do not. I can’t predict what I will hear, or if I will hear anything. Four years ago, God was very quiet, and I was not asking the right questions, His answer to the questions I did not dare ask came to fruition soon after that retreat. I would like to think I am older and wiser now.

I have a similar prayer line at the moment, but the circumstances are very different. Four years ago, I was asking but not getting answers (probably more like not listening to the ones I was receiving- lol). Today I am asking and I did receive an answer. While I was reading aloud to the group, I read the words of the angel Gabriel to Zechariah. God has heard your prayer. Wow, I felt that one. Ok God, you heard me, you got this. Whew.

Message received. He didn’t tell me what, when, or how, but it doesn’t matter. God’s plan is always better than my plan. I just have to keep doing my part. I needed the quiet space to listen to the message.

Was that the only blessing from the weekend? Gosh no, I made two new friends, rested, ate wonderful meals, and tromped about in the woods on a gorgeous day. My cup overflows with blessings.

In this busy season, you may only have a few minutes to be quiet. It may be in your car on the way to work, or after the kids finally fall asleep. I encourage you to take some time, get quiet, and just listen. What is God trying to tell you in this particular season?