Quiet Time
In the corridors of a hospital, through partially opened doors, it reaches out to you: the silence of despair. Someone's loved one is about to take his leave of this world. As the machines steadily beep and whir their cycles, the family tries to steel themselves for the heartache. It's at the moment the machines stop--sudden silence announces the finality of separation.
It's Quiet Time
In a house not far from any of us, a husband and wife engage in another angry exchange of bitter words. Years of partnership are now gone, as one turns and leaves. Broken feelings surface and pain explodes in a heart.
It's Quiet Time
In a prison cell, many years from home, a man stirs and wakes to stare through the darkness. He can almost remember what Mama looked like, but she's been gone a long time now. There's no one else to care any more--he's been forgotten by others. "Why, oh why..." He turns his face to the wall as tears gather in his eyes.
It's Quiet Time
She slides silently out of the pew before the service ends. There is no need to stay longer--they will not welcome her. Her clothes are faded and out of style; her face shows the toll of long ago mistakes. Lonely and cold, she makes her way slowly to her room on the poor side of town.
It's Quiet Time
The old woman smiles up at the visitors to the nursing home. They are there to see others, but still she announces proudly, "My daughter is coming to see me today." The nearby workers sadly shake their heads: daughter long ago abandoned Mama. Each day the old lady carefully dresses herself in the best she has and awaits the long-promised visit, sitting where she can watch the door, cheerfully greeting all those who enter. Each day is met with the same assurance: "She'll be here today." Each night, only the sharpest eyes can see the trembling chin when visiting hours end.
It's Quiet Time
Out on the highway, a car pulls off to one side. A young man gets out and stumbles to the trunk. He removes a gun and gets back into the car. Clumsily, he positions the instrument of death in front of him. There are no tears--only a steady resolve that all hope is lost. He can't go on like this, yet he can't think beyond this moment of abject despair.
It's Quiet Time
Each and every one of us will face quiet times in our lives, when our defenses are down and memories rush in; when we are so overwhelmed by that which we face, we, too, cannot think beyond the hopelessness of the moment. When quiet times find us suddenly and unexpectedly, how will we deal with them?
There is Someone Who understands those quiet times--       Someone Who is there for you. His name is Jesus.
Ah yes, Jesus. That name above all other names. It is a name that indicates the immediate presence of Its Owner. It is a Soothing Balm to a troubled soul or a Peace Speaker to the storms of life. Jesus is Master of all that could ever occur in anyone's life.    If I didn't know Jesus, I could not make it through the quiet times. Sure, there are storms--but storms are noisy and fill us with fight. It's the quiet times that catch us not looking. When our walls are down, they rush in to overcome us.    Certainly, we have the reassurance that Jesus has forgiven us of our sins--that we have been made new creatures in Him. Yet, even so, there will be quiet times to contend with in our lives and Who better to understand them than He?    Even as He hung on the cross, He, too, had a quiet time: "My God, My God. Why hast Thou forsaken me?" He could never have known the desolation you and I feel had He not known His own quiet time.    Are we praying for others in their quiet times? Are we asking God to give them strength to make it through? Do we faithfully ask God to make Himself known in others' lives, so they can come to know Him and have His guidance through their quiet times?    To those of us who know the way: are we reaching out to those who don't? Are our lives a roadmap, a guiding light set on a hill, a beam of brightness in the dark?
Jesus loves you--He knows about your quiet times.       He is a Friend, Who is closer than a brother.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30.
Comfort for the quiet times--those past and those still to come.
(all emphasis on scriptures, such as bold, underline or uppercase, is mine) "Quiet Time" Copyright © 1998 by Patricia Sikes. All Rights Reserved.
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