SILENCE PRODUCING PEACE

Today I sat outside with my dogs in the bitter 10 degree weather. I sat in awe. We had just gone for a mile jog on this lovely Sunday afternoon and we all were breathing heavily. Well, actually they were panting loudly as dogs do with their tongues hanging out and I was trying to catch my breath with my tongue tightly tucked inside my mouth for fear of frostbite. haha. All was silent as we sat in the snow. Occasionally we would hear the sound of a pheasant crowing to his feathery friends. Still, in the midst of the country air all was still. With the sun shining down and a freezing breeze blowing by, it was a calming relaxing silence.

The silence made me think. I had unofficially moved back home last Christmas. And as I was processing all the events that have happened in my life this past year I was trying to think of one word or phrase that described the year 2015. SILENCE. Yes, silence is what could sum it all up I thought to myself. Yet, in the silence I have found peace. I proceeded to think and came up with the phrase, "Silence producing peace." That is it I thought, silence has produced peace in my life this year.

Silence came through change. While peace was found in the silence of that change.

Change is something that most people have to adjust to. I don't think I've ever met a person who relishes the thought of change. I like to pride myself by thinking that I do pretty well with change. But honestly I struggle with it just like you.

I've gone through a lot of change. And although it has not always been fun, I have grown from change.

For the past 8 years I have moved a lot, from two college dormitories to two apartments. I used to enjoy the new exciting times of moving day and decorating my new place. But last year, when I moved to South Dakota, change and moving back in with my parents was hard and quiet an adjustment. Don't get me wrong. I love my parents. But moving in with them has not always been easy. (For what person who lives with their parents doesn't get treated like a child at times.) Moving away from my close friends and the Reynolds was also hard. (I have been through so much with them that it was difficult to say goodbye.) Moving away from the life I had built in KC for 8 years was saddening. But change is not always bad.

I experienced a new change in South Dakota, one that I never expected.

And no it's not a boy. Gosh, get out of la-la land. haha.

This new change I experienced was silence. I mean that in so many different ways too:

• Silence that silenced my talkative self. Creating a quite heart seeking after God.
• Silence that made me think that God was being silent. Yet, in the silence I have come to find fulfilling peace in my life through Him.
• Through the silence brought new passions.
• Through the silence showed me how blessed I am with the friendships I do have. For they would go out of their way to break my silence into laughter, prayers, and encouragement.
• Through the silence God gave me answers to what illness plagued my body.
• Through the silence I was asked to work as a Med Aide at an Assisted Living Home in my hometown.
• Through the silence God helped me pass the 20 tests it took to become a Med Aide.
• And through the silence I have found many books encouraging my walk with God. Books such as 2 Corinthians, Kisses for Katie by Katie Davis, Anything by Jennie Allen, Surprised by Joy by C.S, Lewis, and Fervent by Priscilla Shirer.

Silence is not a bad thing but it has been a struggle for me to accept the silence and find the peace that came alongside it.

As I sit here in my room writing about silence I laugh to myself because all is quiet. Literally, the house is silent, although I hear the faint howl of the coyotes as the darkness of night comes upon us. Spiritually my heart is grateful. Although change has brought this silence, I have found joy this year in the silence.

Now if you have been reading this and have been thinking to yourself, "poor Katie." I say to you, do not feel bad for me in my silence. Because through the silence I have heard God speak, I have seen God work, and I have found peace in my God through silence. I hope that you too can come to enjoy the quiet and silence of life and that it brings you peace. For it is not a bad thing to be still and silent. In the silence the Lord has brought peace in the midst of all my changes. I am content.

I feel extremely blessed!

I feel completely calm!

I feel truly thankful!

And I feel at peace where God has me!

God is good!

May you find rest, peace, and love this Christmas from the one and only Savior, Jesus Christ!

Much love and Merry Christmas!