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Monday, November 16, 2009

The Silent Treatment


Please help us welcome today's Guest Barista, Kristy Stachmus!


Joy. She’s my five year old. Her name suits her in so many ways that I never could have expected. One of the skills she has developed in her short years is the ability to deliver a zinger. Somehow, it just comes natural for her to speak her mind in a way that can make me burst out laughing, or cut me like a knife, in just a few words.



One morning as we sat together at the table, I read some work papers as she chattered on and on to her dolls about how she “loves pancakes.” In the midst of her chatter, she stopped talking to them and asked me a question. I heard her ask. I processed what she said. But, I wanted to finish reading the current sentence before I answered.



Well, as you can imagine, to a five year old, that brief pause must have felt like a lifetime. Just when I was ready to answer, I was stopped short by one of her zingers….hereit comes: “Well, I guess you’re giving me the silent treatment now,” was her (now famous in our house) response to my silence.



I don’t guess this would have seemed funny coming from an adult, because we are surely know to give one another the “silent treatment.” But from a five year old it was – well, unexpected. Once I collected myself from laughing out loud (and hard), I did my best to answer her question. Ironically, being the typical five year old, by the time I got around to answering her, she didn’t even remember what she had asked and soon went on with playing



Though her zinger caught me by surprise, it also made me wonder: How often have I responded with the “I guess you’re giving me the silent treatment now” comment to my Heavenly Father? Does He laugh out loud at that impatient reply? Does it surprise Him when we react in the same manner as a five year old?



The Psalmist wrote much about waiting (from the NLT):



Psalm 5:3 Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.

Psalm 27:14 Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Psalm 62:5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.


These verses give us solid instruction on how we should respond when asking something of our Father. First, He should be familiar with our voice, hearing us speak with Him on a regular basis (“each morning”). We should then be brave and courageous while we wait hopefully, and expectantly, for Him. Finally, we display our patience by quietly listening for His reply.



These are just a few of the examples His word gives us on the subject. Since there are so many, I am led to believe that He rarely answers us right away. It seems as though we should be prepared to wait. We know in our hearts that we should never assume that our Father, is giving us the silent treatment.

But aren’t there times when we assume that He is not hearing us?

Do we faithfully lift up our voice to Him?

Do we display a quiet patience as we wait for Him?



Father God, I pray that you we help all that I am to wait quietly before you. My hope is secure in You. Help me to be strong and courageous today and always.

In Him,

Kristy


Once a journalism major, Kristy laid down her writing pen in 1989 to pursue other interest. But, in 2008, when life circumstance seemed to become overwhelming, she found that the words, thoughts, and emotions had nowhere else to go but on paper. Kristy has been writing again for the last year and has recently started publishing some of her work on her wordpress blog, “Taste the Smell.”

Kristy is married to husband, Jeff, is a mother to Gillian and Joy, and a caregiver to her disabled mother. Since 2001, Kristy has served in her local church as a teacher, prayer leader, and worship director.

Author own and retains the rights to the submitted works and intellectual material herein.

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10 Comments:

Blogger Celee said...

Aren't we blessed that He never gives us the silent treatment- all we have to do to draw near to Him is open His Word. And He has promised to draw near to those who draw near to Him. Thank you for this precious reminder.

November 16, 2009 at 7:35 AM  
Blogger Freddae' said...

We can get so intoxicated by the impatient pace of the world we live in that we forget that God doesn't run at our speed. Time is something all together different for the One who created it and us. I've come to learn that things will happen in God's timing not mine. When I let go of my expectations and let God have full control, I find myself deeply blessed by his work in my life.

Thank you for this message today. It's so very important.

November 16, 2009 at 8:03 AM  
Blogger Denise said...

Bless you for sharing this.

November 16, 2009 at 1:56 PM  
Blogger CeeCee said...

I've been guilty of asking God this very question. Thank you for the reminder that His timing is not mine.

November 16, 2009 at 5:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you to my wife for using her amazing gifts to remind me that I cannot tell God "so, your giving me the silent treatment?" Your writings are a blessing to me and I pray to others as well. Your proud husband, Jeffrey.

November 17, 2009 at 7:10 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've often wondered when something in life happens that's out of my control and beyond my understanding, were is God at that moment? I use logic to see where my sin may have been the catalyst. I figure that if I can find reason, I can find patience. But, there are times when solace cannot be found in logic and I have no choice but to wait on God. I've since learned that these are the times that God ministers to me the most and provide opportunity for growth. Lookin back I've seen that God was with me during the darkest days. He sent little things to remind me of his presence like an innocent smile from a stranger, a prestine sunset/sunrise, or a soft hug from my children. Thank you for reminding me to look back and see that God was always there while He repaired my life! The blessings came when I was patient and expectant!
Your friend from church,
Andy

November 17, 2009 at 8:34 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sheesh!

I hate waiting... and waiting... and waiting some more...

Good thing God's ways are not our ways, because we sure would wreck things good if we had it the way we always want it.

Microwave culture meets the Everlasting eye-opener.

Great points have here been made! (in an awesome Master Yoda-like voice...)

much love Mrs. Stachmus,

BD

November 17, 2009 at 9:20 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

From Joy's teacher I can totally see her making that comment:) I do find waiting hard!! My family is in a season of change and waiting on the Lord to see what He has in store for my husband's future is difficult but exciting. I know He hears my voice, but I want to make sure I am close enough to Him that I hear His still, small voice when He whispers to me:) Thanks Kristy!!

November 17, 2009 at 11:30 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Kristy, the Lord has blessed you with many talents and you strive everyday to use them for His glory on this earth. You are truly a blessing! May God continue to use you mightily for His kingdom.

We love you!

Mel and Kay

November 18, 2009 at 5:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

very moving as always, I will note that the original was much better than the edited version here, and proud to see that you have shared your devotions with the masses! A note to those that are reading it here, you should read more from her blog, "taste the smell"....wonderful writings!!! Well worth your time! And bickets full of fun!
Love you millions kris

November 19, 2009 at 4:36 AM  

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