“A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak…” (Ecclesiastes 3:7 King James Version)
This is your Monday Short meditation. In 2019 I did some substitute teaching in one of the local township schools. I quickly learned that substitutes are not exempt from cafeteria duty. So, when I did not have recess duty, I took my turn doing cafeteria duty. I was not as vocal, and I lacked the voluminous tone as I performed this duty, compared to some of the regular teachers. You see, I thought it was okay for students to talk, laugh, and interact with their peers. Afterall, they had been quiet in the classrooms, quite obedient in suppressing their energies, and in walked in a straight line down the hallways all morning. The only nonquiet time was gym class. What seemed normal to me, and even healthy, was this was a time when the children could release some kilowatts of anxiety or where they could finally hold conversations, forging good relationships. I was apparently wrong. It did not take a long time during the short lunch break for the teachers on cafeteria duty to make a judgment call that the “noise” level was to high. Instead of shutting the doors, the teachers, some of them, would hold up their hands with two fingers; the silence signal, indicating that the students had to be absolutely quiet. In my estimation, this increased the kilowatts of anxiety and impeded or interrupted healthy socialization. But who am I to judge. I just have degrees in social science, education, and theology. So, perhaps I was not right in my thinking. You be the judge.
However, I will advise you that after you wake up and thank the Lord for a new day; after expressing gratitude for the activity of your limbs; after praising Him for watching you through the night, you should have a moment of silence, reflecting on our God. This admonition is your “silence signal.” Try being still and quiet. See if this does not help you go forward today viewing your interactions, incidents, and even interruptions through a godly prism. Again, I say, be still and try it…right now! Be blessed!
“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10 English Standard Version)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King
I recognize the importance of giving thanks to the Lord for a new day; expressing gratitude for the activity of my limbs; and praising Him for watching me through the night. I do that on a regular basis for I do not take it lightly or for granted. The part that should be easy and yet it the most difficult part for me is having a moment of silence just to reflect on His goodness and on Him. I know how to be still and quiet. The difficult part is listening. When I don’t think that I hear anything, then will be quick to shut it off. I give up too soon. I’ll keep reflecting on God and know that I will hear Him giving me direction in all the things on my journey in life.
Thanks to you for openly sharing and pledging to keep recflecting on God and discerning His voice and His message. Be blessed!