Hi Reader,

In last week’s email, I listed several quotes about silence and asked for reader feedback about them.

The quote from Mother Theresa drew the most response.

“We need to find God; he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature – trees, flowers, grass – grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence…We need silence to be able to touch souls.”

Reactions to the Mother Theresa quote

Sue from Los Angeles said she loved it.

Connie from Wisconsin offered this:

“I particularly like Mother Theresa’s quote. Silence, not bullying people into believing. Live your life so others notice that you are different.”

Chris, also from Wisconsin, had this comment,

“Mother Theresa's quote moved me because I love the natural world and the silence therein…or, at least softer sounds.”

Other favorites

Neal Pirolo, author of several missionary care books and one of our podcast listeners, shared his two favorite quotes:

“Silence made space for other people's words, which was important for those who needed to be listened to.” ~ Rachel Simon, The Story of Beautiful Girl
“Don't speak unless you can improve upon the silence.” ~ Spanish proverb

Additional silence quotes from readers

Connie offered this one,

“Be the Bible someone else has never read.” ~ source unknown

Chris mentioned a line from the poem “Desiderata” that he really likes,

“Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.”

Next week

My email next week will explain the WAIT principle of listening. It, too, touches upon the listening skill of silence.

It’s simple and really useful, but you’ll have to wait until next week to learn about it.

Until then, I wish you all the joy that you can wish.*

John Certalic

You Were Made for This is the podcast sponsored by Caring for Others, a missionary care ministry.

* The Merchant of Venice, Act III, scene 2