It has been quiet lately,
Gracious Beloved ....
Too quiet.

I feel like a mom
who suddenly hears
the thundering silence
when her kids
have disappeared
into another room;
that special sound
of something going on,
that is guaranteed
to be described
as “nothing”
by the participants.

And when I call out
to You,
that’s the answer
I’ve been getting:
Why is it so quiet?
What are You doing?
Nothiiiiiiiinnnnnng.

Yet I know —
I can feel it,
deep within my bones —
You’re not doing nothing,
for You are never idle,
You’re always into something;
rearranging furniture,
playing in the mud,
coloring on the walls,
and picking flowers in the garden.

Active,
even in the silence;
thinking and wondering,
and watching carefully,
attentive to all
who come and go,
answering each prayer
that’s spoken,
even the smallest
sparrow’s call.

Creative,
even in the stillness
of a sultry afternoon;
imagining
the possible,
dreaming
the improbable,
infusing
our hearts
with hope.

It has been quiet lately,
Radiant Lord of the earth ...
but not,
as I now realize,
too quiet.

For You wrap Yourself
in silence
so we will stop
and listen;
You hide Yourself
in plain sight
so we will seek
and find You.

Why is it so quiet?
What are You doing?
Waiting for me
to look for You.