Song and Silence

The golden days of summer are long passed and I now find myself in the frozen Winnipeg tundra. I’m sure many of you are in the same predicament, trying to relax this Christmas break from the busyness of school before everything starts up again in January.
This fall and winter I have found myself pining away for simplicity and relaxation, something I don’t experience often. But I have learned that finding the time to be quiet and breathe is not only important for my mental health, but in finding the quiet times, I believe I find God as well.
I recently had an experience that reminded me of this. I had caught a monster of a cold (I blame it on the little ones at the daycare I work at) which robbed me of all vocal capabilities. Not only was talking painful, but singing was impossible. And I really love to sing. At church, singing is my favourite part. Singing is an opportunity for me, personally, to contribute to worship, to concentrate on God, to feel at one with the whole congregation. So when I went to church I was quite sad that when everyone else was singing, I would be standing there, close lipped.
In the end, though, whenever songs were sung that service, I was gifted with a beautiful and peaceful moment. Instead of concentrating on my own singing, I was able to listen to the people of Home Street Mennonite Church bring their voices together and worship God. It was very peaceful, to be surrounded by the harmonizing voices of young and old. I was forced to stop thinking and moving, and just be calm in God’s presence. It hard to find words to describe the feeling, but I am quite blessed to have had a cold that Sunday, and been given the chance to step back and listen and be completely at peace.
I hope that all of you are also finding times to be calm in God’s presence in your lives as well. I hope you all had a very merry Christmas, and that your new years are full of exciting opportunities and growth.

Amanda Abrahams - Bible Instructor