"because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur." - Archangel Gabriel to Zechariah (Luke 1:20)
Dear Friends in Christ -
What would the world be like if all the doubters, non-believers and nay-sayers were silenced? Then there would only be words of belief and assurance and possibility . . . and silence.
Not long ago, I was sitting in the cafe at Barnes & Noble, sipping a cup of hot tea and gathering ideas for my writing. I paused to listen, and when I did, I heard dozens of little snatches of conversation - and for several mintues, not one positive word. It wasn't that people were talking about great atrocity, natural disaster or grave injustice. They were speaking about the ups and downs in their daily lives, yet without any words of hope or beauty.
My mother always said, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."
Picture it: if people really didn't have anything hopeful or helpful to say, the room could have been filled with meaningful glances of encouragement, warm handshakes of connection, hugs of support. And silence. Silence into which something good and true - perhaps even something game-changing - could break through.
In this season, may we so boldly believe in the goodness of God that we are empowered to wait in silence to receive it.
Faithfully,
Janet+
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