“Your actions speak so loudly, I cannot hear what you are saying.”- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Sometimes, it is the silent testimony of one’s life that speaks the loudest. It is not the words we say or preach; it is how we live our lives and how we live out what we are trying to preach.
Words sometimes evoke defensiveness upon those who hear. We wanted to say something, but they hear something else. Instead of hearing our love, they hear our rejection. Instead of hearing encouragement, they hear our judgment.
When words are seen as an offense, our silence could be tangible signs of acceptance and understanding. By our mere presence, we can communicate our desire to help. By our smile we can convey our friendship.
Even when we are misunderstood, our silence can mean a lot. Through our silent suffering, we are able to communicate our patience. Through our tears, we allow outbursts of anger to flow as sorrow borne for those we love.
“It’s better to cry than to be angry because anger hurts others while tears flow through the soul and cleanses the heart.” – Pope John Paul II.
In the same way, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don’t obey the Word, they may be won by the behaviour of their wives without a word… – 1 Peter 3:1,WEB-BE
Mary teaches by silence, leads by obedience and conquers by humility.
Check Jocelyn's books:
"Of Waves and Butterflies: Poems on Grief", "Mend My Broken Heart", "Questions to God", "To Love an Invisible God", "Defending My Catholic Faith", and more - click here.
(You may freely quote excerpts from this website as long as due credit is given to author Jocelyn Soriano and the website itakeoffthemask.com)
One reply on “Our Silent Testimony”
Such a wise and wonderful reminder here, Joyce. Actions do speak louder than words, and we must be mindful as Christians that love is to be shown to others, not simply talked about.
Blessings!