silence

My mom told me once that she thinks the mark of real love is when you just want to be in the same room as someone else, even if you're not talking. She said that you know you love that person when you just feel grateful that they exist, and you get happiness from sitting with them in total silence. Their presence gives you joy enough.

Silence, if you think about it that way, is a pretty good expression of love.

Because when we talk, it often means we want something. Or we want to give that person something by way of communication. And when we listen, we're often hoping we hear the right words. Or we're trying to get at some meaning or explanation or truth.

But when we're quiet, it isn't about getting or giving anything at all.

Which is why today, when I picked up my journal to write and tell God all about the things I was thinking and wanting and hoping to learn, instead I just closed the cover, sat down by the fire and said Jesus, I love you and I'm grateful you exist.

And then I didn't say anything else at all.