A visit to Brockworth Court on a sunny day.

The first thing that strikes me is the silence!

 Strike seems too strong a word but taking things in contrast silence is broken with a strike! The clang of a door, I hear footsteps in the hall, I see a figure pervade my silence as someone passes the window, go away, go away! For I am struck!

Wasn't there somewhere in the Bible where 'he was struck dumb' so this is a sudden thing an invasive thing, sometimes not always pleasant. They struck the nails into His hands with fierce blows that made His face screw up in painful, unbearable grimace! This striking definitely changes what was to what is, the striking of a bell will bring you immediately from where you were to where you are and even to where you should be!

Now footsteps down the stairs, go away, go away!

Take me back to that place of awesome silence Lord, I am tired of speaking, tired of being spoken to, tired of the never ending sludge of words too quickly sliding from the mouths of people who start every sentence with 'I think' or 'in my opinion'

I hear distant conversation, go away, go away!

Strike me with silence again Lord, let me sink into its depths, like a deer thirsting for the water will slip into the cooler deeps of the running stream and stand there, soothing the body, hiding from the pursuant, resting, refreshing, let me sink to the ground at Your feet, let me smell the fragrance of Your garments, let me feel the touch of Your hand on my head for I am very weary Lord, strike me with Your presence. Meet me in the silence!

I have come to this place like Mary, amidst the noise and bustle of life, where talking never ends and distractions always crash into my life like never ending breakers on the sea shore. I have come with all my rubbish, all my cares, all my busyness, and Your silence struck me! I feel the cumbersome weight drop off like Christians burden from the story of Pilgrims Progress.

Because now my eye is on You, as the servant looks at his master and the handmaiden looks into the face of her mistress so I Look at You.

The first thing that struck me was the silence,  And in the silence Your eyes spoke and I heard you say I love you.
Your touch was like a heavy incense on my head that shouted 'I understand'.
The glory of Your presence was like the thunderous roar of angels declaring Your sovereignty  in majestic song and in the silence of this amazing moment, I bless You Lord, I break open the alabaster jar, and let the song of my heart break forth as the joyful tongue of the ready writer.