大象传媒

Good morning. Our house is very rarely quiet. In fact, with 4 boys under 9 years old and busy jobs, we joke that our family motto is 鈥渘ever a dull moment鈥�. This is especially so as the boys have recently discovered music in a big way. We鈥檝e helped the older ones create their own playlists and it鈥檚 wonderful to see what they put on there because they are totally unencumbered by what might be cool or popular. They just put on the songs they love to listen and dance to. However, it does mean we still have more than a few Christmas songs even in the Easter Holidays.

For my wife and I it鈥檚 a fun and noisy season, but that鈥檚 not to say we don鈥檛 crave quiet 鈥� to have time on our own and to time to talk. Sometimes it鈥檚 enough to run an errand or just have a few minutes in the garden, but often we need to be more deliberate.

In the Christian calendar today is known as Maundy Thursday. It reflects the events leading up to the arrest of Jesus and captures both the noise and quiet of the unfolding drama. Jesus and his disciples share the last supper 鈥� together, eating and drinking in a Jerusalem packed with pilgrims from all around. And then they leave the city and seek the quiet of the garden where Jesus asks his friends to stay with him as he prays. Throughout the gospels there are stories of Jesus surrounded by great crowds as he teaches and heals, but they are peppered with accounts of him slipping away to a quiet place on his own. Much less dramatic, but no less important.

Heavenly father, whatever we may be facing help us to make time for quiet, to be still and to listen. AMEN