“When you have ears to hear and eyes to see, you will recognize Him at any moment of your life. Life is Advent; life is recognizing the coming of the Lord” (Henri Nouwen).

Editor’s note: This article is part of our Advent 2024 series, “Waiting for Christ With a Receptive Heart.” Read more here.

I think one of the most powerful tools the enemy uses against our receptive feminine nature is noise. This world is buzzing with constant notifications, conversations, scrolling, and overbooked schedules. The louder things are, the harder it is to receive and accept God’s invitations. Silence is now a rare gem of high value in our personal life and professional spaces.

Yet, if you seek deeper clarity, peace of mind and heart, and authentic creativity, silence is a powerful practice that can open you up to receiving the desires of your heart. Let’s take a moment to ponder how the countercultural practice of silence can help you recognize that the “thrill of hope” that is Advent is always in all ways.

The Role of Silence in Your Life

How often do you allow yourself a moment of silence? Practicing silence, even for just a few minutes each day, can help you reconnect with God, others, and yourself. Here’s why it matters:

It Cultivates Clarity

When you’re constantly engaged with people or screens, your mind is always working. Making space for silence gives you a mental and physical break so you can step back, relax, and unplug. This mental reset allows you clear cluttered thoughts for better decision-making. St. Joseph is a great example of the silence of receiving. In Scripture, he is silent, but his actions speak. He always stepped out in faith based on what he received.

One simple tool to clear your mental clutter and quiet your thoughts is a “brain dump.” Put your brain onto paper: Before bed, try writing a list of whatever is on your mind. When you wake, review the list. Keep it simple, and pick a priority for the day.

It Creates Peace

Silence has a calming effect on your mind, body, and soul. Whether it’s through prayer, a quiet morning coffee, or just a few deep breaths, you can help reduce your stress levels. Creating simple peaceful moments deepens your attentiveness to God and to others, because you become unhurried. Peace places you in the present moment, which increases your gratitude for the beauty and simplicity of what and who is around you, as well as the recognition of God’s graces in your life.

We’ve all been in situations where we feel we’re constantly repeating ourselves yet still not being heard. More talking doesn’t always produce an answer. Stepping back into silence allows ideas to rest, you to receive perspective, and curiosity to step in. Silence relieves you of the pressure of an immediate response and enables creativity to grow naturally. Booking “white space” or “thought time” on your calendar creates a calmer home or workspace and helps spark your best ideas.

It Inspires Creativity

Silence is an invitation to turn inward and receive, making you more aware of the life God is calling you to live. When you take time for self-reflection, in Adoration or through journaling, a retreat, or a solo coffee date, you can clearly see if your actions align with your desires, goals, and vocation.

Self-reflection inspires you to be your authentic self and do what comes naturally to you through the gifts God has given you. You become open to receiving His will for your life and allowing yourself to be His instrument. A simple and powerful way to inspire your creativity and boost your problem-solving skills is to spend time in Adoration and brainstorm with your Creator.

By practicing silence, you become a receptor of greater clarity, peaceful schedules and relationships, and creativity.

Mary Is Your Mentor

The model for silence is Our Lady, Mary. In Scripture, she doesn’t say much, but when she does, miracles happen (her fiat and the Wedding at Cana, to name a few). Have you ever pondered her silence at the foot of the Cross? All she could do was receive the brokenness of her Son’s body, as well as the brokenness of all of us, her spiritual children. What about her time during the early Church? I picture her in her own silent cloister in Ephesus, pouring out prayers to support the apostles.

In Our Lady’s silence, she became a contemplative of the Cross. Like she did for Jesus on Good Friday, she remained on earth, standing in prayer for the early Church. It was the Father’s will for her earthly life that she remain hidden and silent, supporting the present and future Church and all of us, her spiritual children. This was her silent fiat.

How can you model Our Lady’s silent fiat? By designating a place to pray? Praying during your commute or lunch break? Praying for all attendees before an important meeting or retreat? Speaking only when necessary at home? Putting down your phone when you spend time with your family? Remind yourself that your goal is to be a saint in Heaven, not to store up earthly things?

Start with one simple step to practice silence so that you can receive your invitation from Our Father for His will for your life. To be under the mentorship of Mary is to practice silence and be receptive to God’s will. Under her mentorship, she points us to her Son, and Jesus guides us to our eternal home with Our Father in Heaven.

Elizabeth Montigny has built a faith-based life coaching practice to help women take action on their God-given dreams with clarity, creativity, and calm. Liz lives in Massachusetts with her husband and their three boys. She is blessed to be a member of the Love Crucified community, whose mission is to bring to the Lord victim souls for these decisive times. You can work with Liz privately, in her on-line community, or join her on a retreat. Connect with Liz at lizmontignycoaching.com