By Robin Volker

In the early morning, I step outside to clean the snow off the walk and driveway.  Even though the temperature is only 20 degrees, the birds are chirping salutations to the rising, winter sun. In the quiet dawn, I listen to their song as the shovel scraps across the frozen snow.  There is such beauty in this moment of listening.

I visit with a friend whose body is challenged by sickness.  Sometimes the breaks in conversation feel awkward.  Sometimes I feel a need to fill the empty spaces with words that don't come.   As the time passes, my friend begins to open up and speak of what this journey through treatment is like for her.  She shares her fear and sadness.  It is an honor to hold the space where she can share her feelings.  She expresses gratitude for this moment of listening.

I sit in the silence, sometimes able to still my mind, other times just aware of the sounds around me.  The comforting hum of my cat's purr as she cuddles beside me, the tick of the kitchen clock marking time in the adjoining room, the ding of the solar chime as it captures the light from the window – all these sounds I might miss were I not listening.  And somewhere mixed in with these gentle sounds, Spirit softly whispers through the quiet, and, as always, I am renewed and refreshed by this moment of listening. 

Most of the time, we hurry through our day without hearing what is going on around us.  We miss the song of the snow bird, the opportunity to create a sacred space with a friend, and the inspiration of God.

The Psalmist wrote, "Be still and know that I am God."  If we are to learn to know God, to have that comforting relationship with our Higher Power, we must learn to listen, to be still, and to be quiet with our minds and our bodies. 

In this now moment, pause and take a break.  Close your eyes and listen, first to the sounds around you, and then to the sound of Spirit within you.   As you softly breathe, know that every cell and every fiber of your being celebrates this moment of listening, for as you allow your awareness of God to be real to you, you increase God-activity in the out-picturing of God as you!

Namaste`

Rev. Robin