”In the quiet, in the stillness I know that You are God.
In the secret of your presence I know there I am restored. So when you call I won’t refuse. Each new day again I’ll choose. There is no one else for me. None but Jesus…” -Hillsong
Santiago is generally not a quiet place. There are gorgeous, peaceful mountains nearby and serene hills in shades of green that would take your breath away, but I live in the burbs and my neighborhood likes to party. The 172 dogs that live on my block have formed a barking chorus and they practice throughout the day. The roosters crow like there’s no tomorrow morning. People greet one another and get their point across by using full, boisterous voices. Horns, merengue music, car alarms, and more horns and more music...
Yet, my soul is refreshed by quiet. Sometimes I ache for it.
Today, in my slice of the Dominican Republic, it rained most of the day. I first heard it early in the morning when I was still mostly asleep. It was not a storm. There was no lightening or thunder or even wind. It was a steady, rhythmic downpour. By the time I got out of bed to start the laundry and the oatmeal the downpour turned into soft, silent rain. As the morning continued on and I sat down to work, it hit me that I was not on edge. I was mellow like Jello and here’s why: My neighborhood was quiet. The rain brought a hush to Calle 3 and the area of Las Damas II and covered me with good vibrations. Quiet ones.
For several hours today God gave me the gift of quiet and I reverently expressed my gratitude. It also was a reminder to me that while I can not control the neighborhood noise, I need to give over to the Lord the “noise” going on in my head and there's plenty of it. The what-if’s and over-the-top to-do lists can be deafening. Too often I am the one who sabotages the peace God intends for me to experience each day by filling my mind with worry. I need His help to change my ways, quieting my brain and remembering who He is and who I am in light of His grace. Then peace and quiet will be mine no matter how loud it is outside.
“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
