Darrell J. Wyatt, “The Plowman in Silence,” New Era, Jun 1979, 51
The plowman, in silence following his plow,
listens to the bright blade turn the spring-soft earth.
The oxen groan.
Taut reins sing in the breeze.
At the sharp cry of a jay he turns toward the grove
to see a boy, walking slowly
as if burdened by heavy questions,
disappear among the trees, being enfolded in gentle green.
Not hearing the whispered prayer,
the gentle introduction, and seeing nothing brighter than the sun,
he thinks the day not unlike another.
(Three more acres to plow and the morning wears on.)
driving the oxen home,
he listens to the barking of a dog,
not hearing the rejoicing of the heavens,
the singing of the stars
________________
For me, silence was scary and unproductive. I would always have music playing or the TV on--something to break the quiet. I even had a visiting teacher in college challenge me to enjoy silence and I thought, "She's crazy." Then I laid in a room by myself for a month and decided to join the crazy club.
I like it now and I'm really grateful that I had the chance to overcome this fear. I've spent way too much time as the man plowing my way through life instead of the boy in the grove burdened with questions, and I think I've missed some important things. Thank heavens that boy figured it out earlier than me.
5 comments:
weird...that may be from my Uncle Darrell. He is my Dad's oldest brother. I will have to do my research on his middle name to see if it is! How fun to read something from him! (maybe) I will let you know.
Thanks again for your thoughts!!
This very thing has been on my mind off and on lately. When I was young, I too felt the need for "noise" during all the daylight hours. After I married and we started a family, my taste in music, etc. softened as I sought for moments of calming. Lately, I find myself turning the TV off more and especially the radio in the car and just enjoying the quietness. Much has been said about how one of Satan's tools in these latter days is keeping us so busy that we are distracted from doing the most important things. I think that applies to our minds also. If we are always filling our minds with "noise", we are not listening to the spirit or meditating or using our mind to figure things out. I don't always remember to turn off the noise, but when I do, I feel more at peace, more appreciative for the things around me, more aware of God in my life.
Yes! That is my Uncle who wrote that. I told him about it and he is grateful that it could bring you some peace. Small world. Love you!
Hey! So, I love your blog first of all. I'm glad you've kept it up frequently. Second, we are coming up to see you on August 16th. If you want we can just come to your house if you have Colton duties. Otherwise, we can meet you in Eau Clare somewhere for lunch. I hope you don't mind that my mom will be there with me. I am the weird girl that still goes shopping with her mom. :) But anyways.... we go right through Eau Clare to get to the MOA (aka: my heaven on earth... ahem.. I mean, besides the temple of course...) We take 94 almost the whole way. Write me (on my blog) and let me know what your schedule is like that day, kay?
I too have grown to love the silence.
It was difficult at first when all of the kids were in school. I had convinced myself that I was hearing footsteps coming down the hall. The silence was actually creepy to me. I found myself turning on music or the TV, but now I don't like any of the noise on during the day. I drive to Yakima without the radio. I have decided that is my meditation time and time to take account of where I am at. I also do a lot of praying in the silence of my car. I try to keep an extra set of scriptures in the car to read while I am waiting for the kids at lessons or whatever they are involved in.
The silence in during Testimony meetings used to bother me, but now I enjoy it due to the fact that the Spirit is strong and some need that extra silence to hear.
I love you and pray for you continually! I cannot express in words how I feel for you and I am so blessed to have you as a daughter.
Thank you for being you!
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