Just Listen

When things get crazy, when the hum and buzz of the all day, stressful usual becomes overwhelming, the first thing to go seems to be the quiet.

We get so worked up about what's coming next, the music we want to listen to or the YouTube video we want to share p, that we don't realize how much is going around us. We also forget to take the time to just breath, and just listen. 

I've mentioned before that one of my favorite author is Sarah Dessen; she's just one of a kind, writing coming-of-age stories that make the reader stop and think about how they would handle the situations thrown upon her characters, or if they have ever been one of her characters. 

One her novels focuses upon the concept of music, and how different people hear different things.  Her protagonists, Anabelle and Owen constantly fight about the different kinds of music they listen to.
Owen, opened minded, constantly looking for a musical enlightenment, and Anabelle is just trying to stay afloat, and not say what's below the surface. 

To make a long story short, and just ruin the entire story for you, Anabelle finally reaches the point where she can talk about what has happened after she listens to Owen's last CD. The CD is blank, which she believed to be the entire point, and even though it wasn't Owen's, it was the author's. 

The point is, sometimes we need the silence.  There is times where we need to be alone with our thoughts and feelings, and listen to what they are telling us. That's how we stay healthy as human, and sane as a Christian.

Remember the story of Elijah, how the wind blew and mountains shook, but God was not in the storm, nor in the earthquake.  Instead, God was in the most gentle and quiet of breezes, whispering in the prophet's ear, and caressing his face.

How can you possibly hear the breeze if your ears are covered with headphones, and your face is hidden behind your laptop?

Stop, and just listen. Enjoy the quiet, even if it's just your six minute drive to school in the morning. Say hi, say I love you, tell God thank you, and also listen.

Totus tuus,

LeAnn 

Enjoy the Silence

Let's Take a Walk...

I love my media and music as much as the next first world citizen.  I have my TV show obsessions, and I like many people bought the new Taylor Swift album the first day it came out.  And there isn't anything wrong with the entertainment we have at our fingertips.  YouTube, FaceBook, Twitter, smart phones, all of it provides unlimited entertainment.  And unlimited distraction.

Alongside these distractions comes a need for the quiet.  We all need time to to tune other things out; turn down the music, turn off our laptops and enjoy the quiet.  Go for a walk, or get coffee by yourself, leaving the phone and iPod at home. 

Most of my fall break is going to consist of media distractions; talking to friends on Facebook, watching episodes of How I Met Your Mother and Dr. Who, maybe even memorizing every word to every song on that new album I really can't stop listening to.  But I'm also going to take my family's dog for a walk.  

A little quiet can go a long way. 

Totus tuus, 

LeAnn