Hearing the ticking of a clock

When was the last time you heard a clock ticking?

Of course you would have to be in the same room as a ticking clock, but beyond that, the key to hearing the ticking is silence. When was the last time the room was quiet enough for you to pick up on the ticking? When was the last time you were quiet enough to listen?

A friend of mine, who had been a missionary in Thailand for a few years, noted on his return to the States that the most common response to his question, "How are you doing?" was, "Busy!" He quickly grew weary of the response, frustrated even. People were not good, not bad, just really, really busy. He also noted that the answer was often given with a sense of pride, as if being busy earned them a certificate of achievement. He also had conversations with his family so that they would structure their new beginning in America in such a way that their answer to the question of how they are doing could be different. It could be about how they are doing, rather than what they are doing. Of course there are seasons, occasionally, from time to time. Not all the time. Not every day. It doesn't have to be THE way of life.

Slow down, stop even, and listen to the ticking of a clock. You may even hear the quiet whisper of your soul saying, "Thank you, I needed that."