When Heaven Seems Mighty Quiet

Come right on in outta the breeze, friend, and mind that ol’ loose porch board over there right by the hydrangeas. There’s a fresh pot of coffee warmin’ on the stove, a clean chair waitin’ beside this ol’ front porch rail, and enough quiet here to let a worried il’ ol’ heart unclench a little. Some seasons leave us plum feelin’ like a lone dim lantern burnin’ at the edge of a foggy field, still glowin’ but wonderin’ if anybody sees its light. Then, we pray, and Heaven seems a whole lot quieter than a lil’ ol’ cottontail rabbit tucked up under brush at midday. Matthew 15:23 says of that desperate woman, “But He answered her not a word.” Yet, that silence wasn’t no kind of abandonment. It was plum the beginnin’ of a deeper kind of trust.

But that silence didn’t mean Jesus was bein’ cruel, absent, or uncarin’. He was drawin’ out a faith that wouldn’t quit. This woman kept right on comin’, kept right on askin’, kept right on trustin’, and her faith stood real firm like an ol’ oak root holdin’ fast on a riverbank. Sometimes the Lord’s delay ain’t His denial. Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart.” And Micah 7:7 adds, “I will look to the Lord, I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” Sho’ nuff, when heaven feels real hushed, faith has to lean on what God is, not merely on what we git to feelin’.

That dear woman in Matthew 15 was sho-nuff’ bruised by need, yet she just wouldn’t let go of Christ. That’s a mighty strong word for us. When the answer don’t come quick as cornbread from a hot skillet, you’ve gotta keep right on trustin’. When the Lord seems mighty quiet, His heart is still plum full of mercy. A seed under the ground looks sho’-nuff’ forgotten, but it’s gatherin’ life for the green shoot that’s gonna be comin’ real soon. So, if your prayers feel like they’re plum knockin’ on a shut screen door, keep right on knockin’ because the Savior’s love is still workin’ even in the hush right behind the scenes.

Father, when Your answers seem delayed, keep me from growin’ bitter or weary. Strengthen my heart to trust You in the silence, believe You in the waiting, and rest in Your love when I cannot yet see what You are doing. Teach me to cling to You with steady faith until joy breaks through. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now, gather up your bonnet strings and head right on back into the day, friend, knowin’ that a quiet Heaven just ain’t no empty one. A waitin’ season ain’t wasted any more than winter soil is wasted before the spring peas come pushin’ through. The same Savior that seemed plum silent to that woman finally spoke a blessin’ over her life. So, keep your chin held up like a lil’ ol’  bluebird on a fence post, keep your faith real warm, and don’t you be leavin’ out from God’s mighty throne of grace.

With joy,

Gwen