"Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, 'Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He said in reply, 'I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!'" (Luke 19:39-40)

These words have been imprinted in my soul during the time of our quarantine. God was encouraging his people through his word. At a time like this I have learned to listen, quiet my soul, and wait.

A “STAY-CATION” is what I have renamed the time of isolation during the corona virus. Since my husband, Deacon Patrick and I were new to Viera, Florida we were spending most of our time alone, getting used to the area, the church and each other as empty nesters. I am an extrovert by nature, so I was sure, that the peace that resided in my soul was God’s grace. I thanked God for the year and a half we had practiced time in quietness, prayer, and writing.

I frequently complained about the masks which became a nuisance for me. I was sure it was taking my breath away. This however was a minor inconvenience compared to the loss of life and livelihood that swept our nation. Would our nation recover, I questioned?

God put on the heart of many to intercede with Psalm 91 as the armor of faith. God also spoke to His people as they quieted their souls in prayer. “If then my people, upon whom my name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven and pardon their sins and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14) This scripture led many to repentance, individually and for our nation. God’s people were bold, they were strong, and knew “the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) People everywhere were doing what they could to bring about recovery. The fruit of the people working together in a time of crisis brought tears to my eyes. Some gave the ultimate sacrifice. Grief and gratefulness kissed.

Our spiritual life suffered as well. I like, Mary Magdalen at the tomb cried out, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” (John 20:13) I wailed with tears flowing as never before. Each Sunday as Catholics gathered as families for TV Mass, I gathered with tears. I did not comprehend, I beseeched my heavenly Father, “Dear God, in this time when we needed the healing power of the Eucharist most to sustain the believers of Christ and the music to lift our souls, it is absent." TV Mass and Spiritual Communion were all we had, and I so needed more.

I wept for all who did not know Christ, or the power of the Eucharist. Week after week I waited for life to return to normal. Then the Lord comforted my soul, not through words, but in a “knowingness” that one understands only in prayer. God used a precious memory. In an instant my mind flashed back to my wedding day. My dad was walking me down the aisle and looked in my eyes with a dad’s love. I knew He was going to say something important. What did He say to this blushing bride?

“Ellen,” he said, “Where is the music?” I panicked, “Daddy, we forgot to get music!” Dad knew just what to do. In his Frank Sinatra voice, he broke out in song, “Dom dom dah dom ...” I, of course, being Daddy’s girl, had to join. We sang in unity as we walked down the aisle toward my groom. Daddy always brought the music!

I smiled from ear to ear because the memory was so vivid. Then my Heavenly Father silently spoke, “I will bring the music. I will bring the music,” He said.

The blessed assurance that comes from knowing the faithfulness of our Holy God filled my soul. Tears welled in my eyes and I could barely contain myself. I knew just what He meant. He would bring the music like my daddy did. He would save the day like daddy on my wedding day.

I could not help myself; I burst into song, “Dom dom dah dom ...” Then I thanked my Heavenly Father that He always brings the music into my life. Hope took over in my weary soul. Be assured, God will bring life back into our nation, our churches, and our hearts. God will “restore the years the locust ate.”

Let us be silent no more. Praise Him “from whom all blessings flow.” Let us just praise the Lord so that rocks do not have to cry out.

©Ellen Mongan