May 20, 2022
“Speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable.”
~ Proverbs 31:8
I have been without a voice above a whisper since Sunday. It should be no surprise. It is spring allergy season. Last weekend was speaking and conversation heavy with the celebration of life in addition to leading worship and preaching at two congregations on Sunday.
It’s not the first time I’ve lost my voice, nor will it be the last. But for some reason, this time has been more difficult. Perhaps it is the need to continue to process the swirl of emotions I’ve felt. Perhaps it is my desire to connect with others as they share life with me. Even deep listening can warrant reflective verbal responses. And right now, I am powerless to do so.
What’s odd is that I enjoy silence. I have intentionally attended silent retreats, including a 30-day Ignatian retreat, where the only time I talked for 30 days was during meetings with my spiritual director. But silence that I haven’t chosen is an entirely different thing. After a clergy luncheon, a small group meeting, and a church consistory meeting yesterday, I felt diminished, smaller, frustrated, somewhat powerless that I couldn’t speak up about things that mattered to me. I caught a glimpse of what it must be like to be marginalized, to be voiceless in our world.
My voice is a bit better today, and I know that with continued vocal rest it will return to normal. But there are others whose voices are not heard. When I regain my voice Lord help me to speak out on behalf of the voiceless and for the rights of all who are vulnerable.
May it be so! ~ Anne
Wayfinding 