Finding quiet time is something I've always struggled with. But this week I had a whole new experience that left me wondering...

Debi is my friend who suffered a horrific accident, leaving her in a coma. It had been months since her accident and although she was in a hospital in Billings, I hesitated to go see her. I knew that she had only brief moments of being "awake" so didn't want to take that time away from her family. But her sister Sheri encouraged me, "Please go and pray over her. And would you read scripture to her?" Well, of course I would. I was anxious to do whatever I could to help in whatever way possible.

Sheri had warned me that it is hard to talk to someone who can't respond. But when she told me that, I almost had to laugh. After all, years of being married to my sweet husband who was much better at listening than talking had given me much practice in talking to unresponsive people. Just kidding Ron but seriously, one must admit, when it came to gifts and talents, I had been blessed exceedingly with the gift of gab! Debi would be at a disadvantage in more ways than one because unlike others who might grow tired of my talking, she couldn't leave or ask me to be quiet.

But on a more serious note, I had some experience being with people who were unresponsive. In my dad's final days of life, he had slipped into a coma so talking and reading the paper to him had been the last shred of communication we'd had. It had been a comfort so I knew there could be some comfort in visiting with Debi too.

Arriving at the hospital, I located Debi's room and entered. It was quiet but when I spoke, Debi opened her eyes. For the next 45 min., I talked and prayed and read scripture and for most of the time, Debi's eyes remained open as she watched me. As I prayed, I kept thinking of the words, "For where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I among them." Matthew 18:20.

Here Debi and I were, the two of us gathered in His name, one who couldn't talk and the other who never seemed to stop...and yet, there was such an intensity about our prayers. As our time passed, I began to feel a sense of wonder for what Debi might be experiencing. In the quiet of the weeks and now months that were passing, I wondered what God might be communicating to her in this season of silence. Could He have revealed the sound of the angelic choirs or the heavenly orchestra that might accompany them? Or perhaps He had shared the joy of children's laughter as it reflected off the clouds? Or maybe the thunderous clap of a lightning storm had a completely different sound when filtered through the ears of God. Perhaps He had even shared the mysteries that are yet unknown to those of us who allow our heads to be cluttered with thoughts, demands, and schedules.

In the quiet of Debi's room, I felt overcome by the presence of God. I was reminded of the words in Deuteronomy 31:8, "He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." As I leaned to say goodbye, giving Debi a kiss on the cheek, one from me and one from her sweet sister Sheri, I reminded her that God was there with her every second. It was probably something I really didn't need to say because more than likely, in the quiet, He had been whispering in His still, small voice how much He loved His beautiful daughter.

I can hardly wait until Debi can tell us what God revealed to her in her long season of quiet. She will have an amazing testimony when she is finally able to speak. But in the meantime, her silence has blessed me because I can't help but wonder...What would God share with me if I would just be quiet, still, and silent?