Dear God,
Speak gently in my silence.
When the loud outer noises of my surroundings
and the loud inner noises of my fears
keep pulling me away from you,
help me to trust that you are still there
even when I am unable to hear you.
Give me ears to listen to your small, soft voice saying:
"Come to me, you who are overburdened,
and I will give you rest...
for I am gentle and humble of heart."
Let that loving voice be my guide.
Amen.
A wonderful prayer that calls us to the silence so that we may experience rest. I feel there is little more to add. I just want to sit with Jesus in the silence,
Each day, when I open my new note from Inward/Outward and read the quotation, I usually think of it first in terms of how I might be able to use it in worship. In the midst of all the hurry and hustle that I expect of today, Nouwen's words (and especially Jesus' words in the Nouwen quotation) spoke directly to my heart. This one was first for me. Especially today, thank you Inward/Outward for this gift.
Oh yes!
Henri says so simply what we try to say in many convoluted ways. It is only when we are HOME that we find the peace, contentment/fulfillment, and love that we strive for. To live in Christ is all that matters.
My roommate is traveling with 6 other missionaries to India, in a few weeks. She tells me that it is very "noisy" in India, what with all of the people, animals, etc., packed in so closely. One of the missionaries mentioned the other evening that she was having hearing issues. That any "noise" around her really hurts her concentration.
This poem came at the exact time the team needed it to come.
Thank you,
Deanna J Bowling
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