Silence isn’t always the norm here in Mama’s Empty Nest, not with an almost-three-year-old in the house most of the time. But occasionally, silence occurs, which was this past week’s photo challenge theme.
And it’s golden when I experience silence. Or maybe even blue.
One morning, our house was completely silent when I awakened. Papa had already left for his very early morning schedule at his part-time job, so I lingered for a few minutes more in my toasty, comfy bed.
Shortly after 7 a.m., I decided to throw off the covers and coerce my body into starting the day. After making the bed, – yes, I’m one of those people who always does so – I threw open the window blinds to survey the usual stark white landscape that is our yard in the winter time.
The sun was just beginning to rise over the hill and cast its shiny rays where it would soon cause the snow to glisten.
Darkness still enveloped a good portion of the sky though so our snowy landscape had a bluish hue to it causing me to slide my feet into my warm slippers, grab my camera, and step outside to capture the early morning view.
All was silent. Not even a car passed by in those few moments I stood outside. No noise. Not even a bird singing. Just my quiet footsteps on the porch and then the sound of my camera clicking. The scene before me was silence.
Sunshine hasn’t been very prevalent this winter, but I know it still exists. My yard isn’t vibrantly colored with green grass, but I know it will once again be so. Silence doesn’t always permeate my home, but I enjoy it when it happens.
Mother Teresa was once quoted as saying, “We need to find God, and He cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature – trees, flowers, grass – grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence…we need silence to be able to touch souls.”
I thought of how many times I do encounter God when there is silence and viewing the sun as it arose on my horizon that frosty early morning made me thankful for yet another day of living. Even in silence.
“I believe in the sun even when it’s not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He’s silent.” ~ unknown
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Mama's Empty Nest 
“Be still…and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 Your photo is beautiful. I love and appreciate those times of silence as well. We have 5 grandchildren as of right now and it can be noisy here at Grama and pap-pap’s house. I have had times in my life where finding a quiet place in the midst of chaos seemed unreasonable. Family emergencies, heart gripping grief from a loved one passing suddenly, the pain of a family member drowning in addiction…yet, Christ gives us the gift of His peace even when thunderous storm clouds are rolling in around us. There is a peace that passes all understanding and it is a precious gift from God. I enjoy so much your love of beautiful, thought provoking photos. You, Mama, are a gift ❤️
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Alison, so good to hear from you. Five grandchildren now? Wow, your house must be full of noise but a joyful noise. I know exactly what you mean about the difficulty of finding those places of peace in the midst of trials and pain. But yes, Jesus is right there in the midst, in the storm. We just have to reach out to Him. Thank you for letting me know how this post and my photos touch your heart. Readers like you are truly a gift to me. ❤
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I usually tell people that my favourite time is when I can hear my grass growing! Thanks for sharing this post, especially the quote by Mother Theresa; made me glad I shared my own submission for this week’s challenge 🙂
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I liked your photos, Gale. Mother Teresa said some amazingly wise things, didn’t she?
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She did!
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Beautiful photo and story to accompany it. That reminds me of one early morning when Motor Man and I were on the beach at Corolla, and one of the horses was lying by the ocean. It was such a special, quiet moment. I especially felt God’s presence at that moment.
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Although I don’t get to the beach that often, I always feel God’s presence there. In the movement of the ocean waves, the warmth of the sunshine, the horizon so far off you can’t really see it, and I can imagine in the beauty of those wild horses you love so much.
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A beautiful interpretation!
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Thanks so much for the lovely compliment. All of that pretty snow is now gone and I’m staring at brown grass. Ugh.
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Beautiful is all I can say. The words and photo. Beautiful.
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Thanks, sweet friend, thanks. ♥
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Holy, ethereal, purified. Love the quote from Mother Teresa.
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I’ve had that quote in my quotes notebook for a very long time and like you, I just love it.
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I am one of those “make the bed first thing” kind of folks as well. I love how you write about encountering God in the silence . I need to surround myself with more silence so that I can hear Him a bit better. Have a blessed day.
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I don’t know why (probably my mom’s training me though) but I just can’t stand unmade beds! Even in hotel rooms, I pull up the covers before I leave. I too need to sit more often in silence so I can listen to God so I need to take my own advice here. -)
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