By Lisa Wilmore
My Dear Friends,
Driving from visiting a relative, I noticed individuals on the street corner who were soliciting money for the homeless. Of course, I stopped and gave them the cash I possessed in the console of my car. As I drove off, I desired to know their church affiliation. So, I turned around, stopped, and got out of the car to talk to one of the gentlemen. He approached me and expressed his thanks for the small token before I could begin my reasoning for stopping. After his thanks, I asked him about his ministry and his church affiliation. He shared that he and the others were from Florida, but also serviced homeless children in Baton Rouge, LA. I offered to do more, but he could not provide additional information for the ministry. I was speechless. Therefore, I left.
As I was leaving, I was in view of a close relative’s workplace and was led to stop by to say hello. I entered the building and asked one of the employees if I could see her. The employee stated that she had to leave because of a family emergency and insisted that I call her to find out the logistics.
So, I called to find out if everything was ok. What she said to me, during the beginning of our conversation, left me speechless. I tried to say something to offer comfort; but the words would not come. I was prayerful that she did not witness tears in my silence. Interestingly, before we got off the phone, I was able to mumble to her, “I am praying for you and your family. She thanked me and that’s how the conversation ended.
Have you ever received information that literally arrested your speech? Perhaps, you were not able to utter a word? During the phone call, I tried to bring forth scriptures, but nothing would come. I desired to offer words of encouragement, but the words would not flow. I was speechless. It is understandably true that there are moments in our lives that “take our breath away”.
Of course, I rehearsed that moment in my mind and thought, “I should have said this or should have said that”. However, these thoughts did not appear to be the most appropriate words to utter.
Scripture reminds us, “There is a time to be silent and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 4:7). This was one of those times to be silent. Sitting in silence is not a bad thing when you don’t have the words to say.
