HomedotMagisReflectionsThe Music of the Day

The Music of the Day

porch swing - photo by James Garcia on Unsplash

One morning I tried to do centering prayer on our backyard swing. It was summer, and early mornings in our shady yard can be pleasant and quiet.

Well, not that quiet. I had settled down to listen for God, but as the minutes ticked by, I heard everything but God: police sirens, people talking a couple of yards over, dogs barking, various birds chatting enthusiastically above me, lawn mowers and weed wackers, contractors hammering, the hiss and hum of constant traffic on the expressway not a mile away. How could I detect God’s “still, small voice” with all this racket going on?

It occurred to me that none of the racket surprised or bothered God—only me, sitting there trying to impose a false quiet on my little corner of the city. I prayed for a way to work with the noise rather than against it.

This is the music of your day. Huh. Had the Holy Spirit just suggested that I was surrounded by music, not noise? I listened, then, as though attending a concert. Sure enough, the day was full of rhythms, tones, and pauses. The whole of this musical piece incorporated every creature and person, every surface and moving part. There was no difference between nature sound and human-made sound, because all of it issued from life.

What will you add to this music? That was a beautiful and pointed question. What sounds would my life make in this moment, this day? Would I add my bit while listening to everyone else, careful to play my part without drowning out others? Would I make sounds of peace, gratitude, and joy? Would I add only what benefited today’s masterpiece rather than cluttering the concert with noise and clatter?

When we pay attention and expand the way we look, listen, touch, taste, and smell, our ordinary day will reveal something of the God who created us.

Photo by James Garcia on Unsplash.

Vinita Hampton Wright
Vinita Hampton Wrighthttp://www.loyolapress.com/authors/vinita-hampton-wright
Vinita Hampton Wright edited books for 32 years, retiring in 2021. She has written various fiction and non-fiction books, including the novel Dwelling Places and spirituality books Days of Deepening Friendship, The Art of Spiritual Writing, Small Simple Ways: An Ignatian Daybook for Healthy Spiritual Living, and, most recently, Set the World on Fire: A 4-Week Personal Retreat with the Female Doctors of the Church. Vinita is a spiritual director and continues to facilitate retreats and write fiction and nonfiction. She lives with her husband, two dogs, and a cat in Springdale, Arkansas.

8 COMMENTS

  1. Very inspiring, Vinita. Thanks. All are blessed with a voice. We only need to allow others to give expression to their voice. True melody that uplifts may be just round the corner.

  2. Listening!! This is so beautiful!! It gives one time to listen deeply within and outside. Peace that’s found in silence.

  3. I can relate to the disappointment of her expectation for some quiet time. Yet in that present moment ,God was there & put a different spin on her experience. By listening and letting go of her way, she discovered a
    new way of being and coping with the unexpected . Rejoice in the Lord,always.

  4. As always, so wonderfully done Vinita! So inciteful, so thoughtful, so helpful. Thanks so much for this reflection.
    Ron

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