Be Still My Soul

God speaks in the silence of the heart.

Listening is the beginning of prayer.

Mother Teresa

I live in a part of the country where the temperatures can reach 100 degrees in the shade on a summer day. The 100% humidity in the air is heavy and suffocating. I stay indoors when it gets like this unless I happen to be fortunate enough to be near a pool. And temperatures with humidity this high make riding in a vehicle without air-conditioning unbearable. I should know.

The compressor went out in my car and I have yet to break down and pay the ridiculous price for the part/labor. You better believe, I think twice about what time of day I run my errands. And when I do, I lower those windows and let the hot air from outside circulate.

Reminds me of growing up in Florida. Riding in the car, legs sticking to the vinyl seats, windows down, me leaning out trying to get a draft of air with hopes of it evaporating the moisture collecting on my face and neck.

AC really is a divine miracle, in my opinion.

It was a much different childhood than the one I offered my children. We didn't seem to rush about so much. We had time for visiting. Playing outside til dark. Life was slower back then. And quieter.

The chatter of voices, keyboards, cell phones, traffic, loud music, television.

So much noise.

Could that be why I have a hard time hearing His voice?

And what about the noise of my heart?

The lists of things to do, the worry about finances, the child who forgot to call home, the mother who is ill.

Noise there, too.

The stop sign on a dusty, dirt road on this sweltering hot summer day caused me to get quiet. Still. For a moment.

I sat in my car.

Windows rolled down.

And I listened.

I heard the hum of crickets.

I heard the breeze blow through the branches of an old sycamore.

I heard His voice.

Because it's in these simple, silent moments where I find true communion with my Father.

He says, Be still and know that I am God.

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change, He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake

To guide the future, as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know His voice

Who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,

And all is darkened in the vale of tears,

Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,

Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.

Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay

From His own fullness all He takes away.
Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on

When we shall be forever with the Lord.

When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past

All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.
Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise

On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;

Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,

So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.

Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine

Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

Ka­tha­ri­na von Schle­gel