Spiritual Masking Tape

by Kathe Wunnenberg

"Whispers too much." I dreaded seeing that phrase checked off my report card as a child. It seemed the harder I tried to keep the vow of silence, the more I failed. At best I could refrain from talking for an hour before I giggled or blurted to my desk-mate. So my teacher resorted to extreme measures to encourage my listening skills... she taped my mouth shut!

Brown, gummy, masking tape was a routine part of my 2^nd grade make-up. The worst part was ripping it off my mouth at the end of the day and wearing my red marks home. In spite of this harsh discipline, my season of silence taught me valuable lessons. Although I don't agree with the method my teacher used, looking back, I see the positive ripple effects from my silence... it helped me get still... which enabled me to watch and listen to my teacher... which aided my learning.

During the past few years I've felt as if I'm back in grade school... only this time, my required course is "being" and God is my teacher. Because I'm a driven "doer", silence and stillness do not come easily for me. Activity and performance have been my close companions for most of my personal and professional life. At times even my spiritual life has been more focused on doing good things for God than spending time with him. Too often the noise of my activity has muffled His voice.

What does it take to slow me down to "be" with God? I'm embarrassed to admit that laryngitis, sprained ankles, sleepless nights, traffic tickets, and a doctor's directive have all helped. But only after leaving a successful career, family crisis and the death of my son did I begin to see the need to "cease striving" and to change. In a sense these were "spiritual masking tape encounters" God used in my life to silence me and to still me so I could watch and listen to Him.

Shortly after my son's death, a friend suggested I follow Jesus' example, get away from the crowd and take a DAWG Day (Day Alone With God). I embraced her advice and checked into a local hotel to be with God. No phones, no TV, no going out. Just me, my Bible, pen, paper, CD player, praise music, room service and God. At first I wondered how I would fill the time with no agenda, so I asked God to guide our time and be my teacher in the classroom of being. Amazingly, the hours clicked by and I could hardly believe it when 24 hours had passed. How refreshed and renewed I felt. Now I plan DAWG Days and a MAWG (morning alone with God) regularly.

Taking time to be still has helped me continue my journey through transition and grief with God's word in my heart and peace in my step. I'm learning to delegate, ask for help and set appropriate boundaries, priorities and expectations. Now I watch for God in ordinary moments and expect to hear his whisper.

Although I still struggle with "doing", the roll of masking tape in my car is an encouraging reminder to me to take time to be still with God. Don't be surprised if you're driving in Arizona and see a woman wearing masking tape sitting alone in a park. If you roll down your window and listen closely, you may hear her mumble, "Speak Lord, your servant is listening."

Kathe Wunnenberg is a speaker and author of Grieving The Child I Never Knew (Zondervan 2001) and Grieving The Loss of a Loved One (Zondervan 2000). A former media executive and workplace ministry director, Kathe lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and two sons. Feel free to contact her via email.