3 Gentle Reminders for Silent Seasons

Something Warm:: Last Week 9/29

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I’m Josefina, the writer behind this platform. My heartfelt wish is that my words become honey to your soul, bringing sweetness and healing to your bones (Proverbs 16:24).

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Growing up in New England, I took the seasons for granted. 

While I admired the beauty of each season, I found myself rushing through the seasons that I didn’t care for. The discomfort in the length of time in the weather that I was not fond of kept me from relishing the moments in front of me.

I’ve been finding myself in the depths of a silent season. The pruning is evident, the shedding has been wearisome, and silence surrounds me as I pray fervently, searching for signs.

Ecclesiastes 3:3 says, a time to break down and a time to build up.

That is where I am currently—breaking down and building up.
Unlearning and Relearning.
Surrendering and Trusting.

Growing up, I often avoided silence. Whether I kept myself busy with art, reading a book, or watching reruns of Hey Arnold and Rugrats, I made no space to befriend silence.

These days, when I’m struggling to find comfort in the silence, loads of laundry, very active twin toddlers, and two jobs keep me occupied and equally exhausted. 

As we transition into the fall season, I am learning to befriend the stillness and the silence that comes with the growing seasons. I am learning to surrender (sometimes more than once) the need to control the outcome and trust the process.

While it isn’t something I have yet to master, I have found myself content even in the midst of discomfort. I have recognized that sometimes, the sign we seek is in silence.

We must be willing to trust that everything will work out for our good, even if things don’t turn out as expected.

Here are five gentle reminders to keep with you, whether you are in a silent season, leaving one, or entering one.

3 Gentle Reminders for Silent Seasons

1. Silence doesn’t always mean No. 

There were many times in my life when I assumed silence was a negative thing. I remember thinking that it had to be no because I didn’t hear an immediate yes. 

When I was walking through infertility, grief, and loss, that was a very quiet season. At the time, I assumed God did not care or see me, yet it was during the stillness and silence that my relationship with God became more than what I learned at church and Bible college.

Silence doesn’t always mean no; sometimes silence means not yet.

2. Silence doesn’t mean suffering alone.

One of the biggest mistakes I’ve made during some of the most refining seasons of my life was thinking I could do it by myself; the second biggest was inviting folks who had no business into my business. 

While silent seasons are inevitable, we must be mindful of the people we invite into such tender moments. Sometimes, the people we invite into our sacred seasons can keep us from lamenting, listening, or learning.

Remember that silent seasons do not mean suffering alone, and they also don’t mean inviting anyone. Choose people who are in alignment with you, who will call you out when you’re out of line but will love you through the ebbs and flows of life.

3. Silence doesn’t mean hide, avoid, or run away.

The easiest thing to do during silent seasons is retreat or run away. Whether we are alone or fill our lives with a long list of tasks, we must be willing to release the need to control. The more we run, the further away we get. The more we avoid, the greater the grief. The more we hide, the longer it’ll take to heal. 

Silent seasons aren’t necessarily favorites, but they are needed. They prepare and push us toward growth, contentment, and joy. 

While avoiding, retreating, and running away from silence is easy, remember that just because it causes discomfort doesn’t mean it’s wrong.

Sometimes, the very thing we are searching for is found in the silence.
Sometimes, the answer we are looking for is to wait 
Sometimes, the sign is to be still and know 
Sometimes, God’s will is to SIT AND TRUST.

May this silent season be a testament to God’s goodness and faithfulness.
May you remember the hard days and silent seasons you’ve already overcome during the moments you question and doubt yourself.
May this season of breaking down lead you towards building up the resilient being you were always called to be.

mindful minute: a time to reflect and respond

Let’s take a moment to breathe deep and exhale together.
Inhale through the nose, and exhale with a deep sigh.

Listen:
Open the Blinds - Ariel J

Reflect: Mindful Art Prompt (Feel free to share in Comments)
Nature Walk & Sketch: Take a walk and embrace what’s in front of you. Bring a sketchbook and create quick sketches of the scenes you observe. Focus on the stillness and tranquility of your surroundings. Afterward, reflect on how this activity made you feel.

Community, I invite you to finish the phrase on the comments.
I will be ___________ during this season.

Remember:
May you remember the hard days and silent seasons you’ve already overcome during the moments you question and doubt yourself.

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Thank You for reading cuídate a monthly newsletter dedicated to the art of mindfulness where simplicity and slowness create space for joy, gentleness, and a renewed sense of purpose.

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