LOVE, HONOR–AND SILENCE

As this January month of Light draws to a close–and my candles have burned low–I am changing our home altar to the theme of Love. February seems a proper month to focus on Love, as it includes Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent (also February 14th). Valentine’s Day is a special time to show our loved ones how much they mean to us; Lent is a season to reflect on the life and love of Jesus, and in turn, how we should love one another.

I was setting out the Valentine decorations when I recalled a time when a coworker had received a beautiful bouquet of roses from her husband. I had complimented her on the flowers and commended his thoughtfulness–to which she tersely replied, “Well, he’d better be thoughtful!” Though I’m not certain if this was her ongoing expectation or an unusual reaction to a bad incident, I felt sad that her husband’s attempt to please only seemed to displease her. And even as he would never know what was said, her words could have diminished my regard for him–and for her as well.

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10)

Loving one another includes honoring one another, too.
Sometimes the best way for us to love and honor others is with our silence.

As I focus on Love this month–in my personal relationships, with the people in my community, and even in my interactions on social media–I hope to be mindful of the moments in which silence may be the better way to honor and love others.

I can honor others by choosing…
~to speak words that are kind, helpful, encouraging, or thoughtful, and to silence words that are not.
~to privately work to resolve troubles, not just to publicly lament them.
~to defend and uphold all whom I can, but to refrain from disparaging those I cannot.
~to graciously address issues that merit consideration, and to quietly release petty concerns.
~to direct conversations away from gossip, and to keep from being its source.

For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven… a time to keep silent and a time to speak. (Ecclesiastes 3:1,7b)

May I keep this question ever before me, not only this month but always:
“What is Love asking of me in this moment–to speak or to remain silent?”

(During these next few weeks, I will be working on Lenten reflections, so I will pause my regular posts until Sunday, February 11th. I hope to “see” you then! In the meantime, God bless and keep you!)

Bible verse is NRSVUE found at https://www.biblegateway.com/
Photo by Karen