“Are you going to just sit there like a knot on a log?”

When was the last time you sat with a friend in silence and it was uncomfortable? Maybe it was an awkward subject that came up. Perhaps you made a fantastic blunder and you are waiting for a response. Or something isn’t right and you don’t know if you are getting a silent treatment or if your buddy is upset about something totally unrelated to you.

Do you ever wish you could cut through the silence and tension like this guy? ⤵️

My friend, you have been the giver and receiver of silence for many reasons. Why? Because you know silence communicates.

Consider two very large brushstrokes of silence between friends. As you think about these two ideas of silence and the others that will pop into your mind go at least one step further. Apply your thoughts to your friendship with God and see where silence fits into your prayer life.

Stroke # 1: Giving Golden Silence

Counselors, coaches, salesmen, teachers, negotiators, chairmen of the board, and parents know asking a question and waiting is powerful. Silence invites others to share their thoughts and feelings. Why? Here are a few of my observations.

• Silence makes a relational void.

• Silence gives space to process.

• Giving silence is a way to give honor.

• Moments of silence allow a person to process when caught in a bad act or thought.

• Silence lets people say yes to new ideas.

You and your friends give silence to help each other. The moments of healing silence passing between friends are unique. Each person, friendship, and situation creates unique moments that will never be recreated.

Sacred silence.

I encourage you to hone your skills and make sacred moments for your friends.

Stroke #2: Silence of Distance

Destinations in our lives do not come to us all by themselves. No, we make the journeys to the places and spaces drawing our attention.

Hiking to the summit of the mountain, paddling down a river to an outcropping of bluffs and rocks, and a road trip to the Grand Canyon all require us to move. And that is the point. Silence moves us towards the object, the person, our friend.

Silence can be a form of protection. We are quiet about something waiting to see if we can trust the person, our friend, with our soul. As we wait for our friends to open up in their souls to us we earn trust. Move towards our friend and we can earn th

Silence can be an invitation into the deep and wild. Parents and mentors share stories with their children in different ways as they grow older. The same story gives different meanings as children learn more about people and the situation. The parents and mentors also give additional details and insights.

Friends and God are the same way.

Distance and silence are where all strangers meet. The actions of friendship pull two people closer to one another. We cannot instantly download everything about us in an instant. We are human and cannot absorb another person’s life instantly.

The distance we travel towards each other is challenging. We learn painful things about ourselves and how to receive grace. We go through challenges together and make bonds.

Sitting with and journeying life with a friend’s silence allows you to know them even better than if they describe themselves to you. Why is that?

Sharing silence a the sacred commitment of trust and revelation between friends.