Week 1: Advent Begins
There are some people who make this campus a better place, not only by the nature of their work and how they do it, but by the nature of the heart they bring to it each and every day. I privileged to know firsthand that Amanda Stallings is truly one of those people. She’s the recently new Associate Vice Chancellor of Alumni Relations here at TCU where she and her team supports and cares for over countless alumni throughout the world. In addition to working at the school she loves, she is also an active member of University Christian Church, wife of Tom and mother of three amazing kids – Miley, Halle Anne and Ella. Best wishes for the weekend ahead.
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
The Power of Finding Silence
Recently, I received a diagnosis of chronic laryngitis and must remain silent for two months. During this time of silence, I will communicate by listening. This experience is teaching me valuable lessons about patience and sincerity. Our heavenly father listens to us every moment of the day. He listens to our struggles, our triumphs and our sins. How often have I truly listened?
When silent, you evaluate your inner self and look deeply into the hearts of those around you. You realize grace and kindness. You realize suffering in others you had not previously noticed. You realize happiness that you had taken for granted. As we experience Advent, I am grateful for all the blessings that I am able to experience and for the awareness of others during my time of silence. This season is a time to mend and embrace those special people in our lives.
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the silence. Thank you for the opportunity to listen to you and my fellow human beings. Thank you for this time to mend, to embrace the needs of others, to heal and to love. Be with those who are suffering, weeping, mourning, searching and those looking for peace. Allow them silence so they can hear you working in their lives.
Amen.
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