My son is sound in high definition. It seems to me that he is naturally loud—maybe it’s a boy thing. He walks loudly, he plays loudly, sometimes, he even eats loudly. Most of the time, his volume is at a 10, and I need it at a 5. Sometimes when he gets carried away I ask him to hold his tongue until he settles down. (My mother thinks this is hilarious. My son, not so much.)

Sometimes, I need to hold my tongue too–not because of sound quality but because of the quantity–the mere volume of words.

As a woman, I’m often guilty of using too many of them. I can overwhelm my husband with them. I inundate my children’s ears with them. I flood my friends with them.

I want to use my words like currency. Choosing them carefully and using them sparingly.

Isaiah 30:15 says, “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.

This year, especially during Lent, God is challenging me to practice quietness–of heart and of mouth. That means: no complaining, grumbling or fussing… limiting the use of unnecessary words… this is very hard. To find strength in quietness seems like an oxymoron to me, but I realize that practicing silence can produce humility and grace. When I guard my mouth, I place my trust  in His faithfulness.

So I presume that Seth and I will continue to hold our tongues as we learn the best lessons of all — The value of allowing God to speak into my silence.

How about you? What are some ways you practice quietness?