Silence Speaks Volumes

It is so like Almighty God to speak to us through our experiences in life. Indeed He is the best special needs teacher revealing relevant lessons every day. I learned a tangible lesson this week about taming my tongue. Perhaps my experience will help you to connect the dots for your exam too. Silence speaks volumes when God is instructing us to live the best life.

This past week the practice of watching what I say became a great deal easier. My tongue was silenced. I have had laryngitis for several days now. As a result I have a whisper or no voice. Being unable to speak allows much time for thinking and observation. During this time my interactions have been controlled and selective.

This is not the first time I have experienced this challenge of being voiceless. I can usually tell when it is eminent, and do what I can to limit its impact. I am on the mend!

The day it began I was in the classroom with young students. They displayed empathy. I spent one day mostly at home, and quiet. I ventured out into the mall and the market to engage in some overdue shopping.

Pursued in my Silence

I spent a great deal of time thinking actively about how and when to communicate with others. The more I labor to speak the more I suffer the consequences, so I attempt to stay quiet.

It seemed people were more chatty than usual. I would smile and nod however, it was as if they knew that I was trying to remain silent and they wanted to get me to talk. I found this to be very odd. People, strangers, would look at me ask a question and then press for an answer. I don’t remember this same type of solicitation in the past.

In several incidences, when I was able to get them to understand that I had laryngitis they proceeded to ask more questions like: Oh, how long have you had it? What are you taking for it? How often does it happen? One salesperson mimicked my whispered response when she inquired about the level of service I received in her shop.

I found it necessary to convey to her that I had laryngitis. She smiled and began to ask me more questions. Her coworker said to her, “She told you that she can’t talk, so why do you keep asking her questions? Leave her alone!”

People had reactions of compassion and empathy. Some were totally oblivious. Notwithstanding, I got to decide what I would try or not try to say. I reserved my energy for those times when it really mattered. I exchanged a pleasant gaze, smile or nod. I was less likely to try to engage in conversation to fully express my thoughts, I had to save my energies.

Connecting the Dots

I began to think about others I have encountered over the years that seemed less engaged with me. Perhaps they were saving their energies. Perhaps they had counted the depth of the relationship to be of less importance to them. Perhaps they were loving themselves first, and not me first. Maybe they were simply thinking and observing. Or maybe they were pressing because that is what they do.

Likewise, I thought of Jesus the Christ and the many exchanges He had with people who asked Him some very difficult questions. Questions designed to entrap Him, or allow them to judge Him and the message of God, which He carried. I thought of how He looked beyond their questions. He spoke what His Father spoke and did what His Father did. His responses were controlled and selective.

These possibilities add up to my continued reliance on God, loving myself first, and my neighbor as myself. I will endeavor to respond rather than react. I will diligently search the word of God, allowing it to be more a part of me. I will pray in that regard.