As I was lying down today trying to help my restless child fall asleep, I found much needed solace in the silence.  While the quiet and stillness was a relief to me, I thought of a friend who is bearing the burden of loss for whom silence may bring nothing but pain.  As I thought of her, I prayed.......

Lord,

Please write on her heart a song for the silence,

one of peace and comfort in this time of despair.

Let your water spill forth from this hard rock of sorrow

and sing over her with songs of your care.

Speak tender words that bring courage and strength,

allow no hardness to set in.

Whisper "come to me, darling" and call her away

to the place where healing begins.

Silence.  O Lord, would you sing her your song

that one day she too will sing

of joy from mourning and beauty from ashes 

that only you, Lord, can bring.

" 'Arise my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me

See! The winter is past;

the rains are over and gone.

Flowers appear on the earth;

the season of singing has come.....' "

Song of Solomon 2:10-12

"The Lord your God is with you,

he is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

he will quiet you with his love,

he will rejoice over you with singing."

Zephaniah 3:17