Summer Silence

Sherry Hayes-Peirce discusses a few ways moms can find moments of silence during the summer season.

For so many of us summer provides opportunities to slow down and seek solitude. Whether it’s heading to the beach, national park, or local staycation, withdrawing from the daily grind of our lives allows us to be silent and spend time with the Lord.

“Be silent and I will speak.” (Job 33:31b)

I always make a plan to visit the local churches wherever my travels take me during my vacations. There is something so soothing to the soul when you walk into an empty church on a weekday when the rush of getting to Mass is not the focus of the visit. One of the most powerful places to have an encounter with the Lord is spending time in the Adoration chapel.

Sitting in the presence of our Lord and opening ourselves up to hear the voice of God is so healing and helpful in growing our connection with Christ. It used to be so difficult for me to sit in silence, because there are so many things swirling in my head. So I started bringing my phone with me to spark prayer prompts by listening to a meditation from the Hallow App or the Whitney Houston song, “I Love the Lord.” The refrain always opens my heart and mind to feel God’s presence and hear His voice.

Sometimes my busyness limits my time in Adoration, but during my visits when there is no time limitation, I can imagine myself sitting with or walking with Jesus and immersed in conversation about whatever is heavy in my mind or on my heart.

After withdrawing about a stone’s throw from them and kneeling he prayed, saying, "Father if you are willing, take this will from me; still, not my will but yours be done." And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him. (Luke 22:41-43)

This passage outlines how even our Lord had to seek opportunities to withdraw from the daily grind!

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Going on silent retreat is another way to withdraw from worldly cares to deepen your relationship with Christ. Some retreat centers offer single and multiple day silent retreats throughout the year. These centers design an experience that affords you guided activities that will allow you to be introspective and reflective. As a person who struggles with unplugging being in a place without TV and limited access to my phone really helps me to focus on the Lord and how he is trying to communicate with me.

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Another way to dip into the waters of silence is reading spiritual books. I pack books for me to read when I am on vacation. Getting on a plane to any destination is the perfect time to pull out a book as you are flying through the clouds. There are no distractions for me when I am traveling, but some of you reading this have young kids. Just as you make plans to keep your children focused by downloading their favorite movies, make a plan for you to read or listen to an audiobook.

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Withdrawing from the daily grind of our lives allows us to be silent and spend time with the Lord. #CatholicMom

Being in nature is also a beautiful way to experience God’s presence at the beach in the sound of the waves, in the forest in the flora and fauna, on the mountains in the majestic vistas and in the desert we may feel the Lord in the dunes of sand and hues of purple, orange and yellow. Reflecting on God’s creation provides an opportunity to offer a prayer of gratitude and plan for living Laudato Si'.

Finally, there are many pilgrimages to religious sites like the Camino that provide opportunities to be silent, but focused on a journey that triggers a desire to live like Christ.

In silence, we are better able to listen to and understand ourselves; ideas come to birth and acquire depth; we understand with greater clarity what it is we want to say and what we expect from others; and we choose how to express ourselves. Pope Benedict XVI