God Used Silence To Teach Me About Love

It was about time for me to select my elective class for “a language other than English,” and I was not thrilled. Learning another language seemed complicated.

One Sunday at church, I noticed an interpreter signing for the section reserved for those who were hard of hearing or hearing impaired — and I had a lightbulb moment.

That is what I wanted to learn.

I loved helping people, and there was something so graceful and expressive about
communicating entirely through your hands and face. Sure enough, it was an option at my school.
It was one of the first years they offered American Sign Language (ASL) as an elective,

and I was part of the very first class.
I was excited…
but I had no idea how much this adventure would shape my perspective and my relationships.

And this experience has made me ask myself:

Do I have time to notice others? Or am I distracted by my own world?

How do you teach a child compassion for others?

What does empathy really look like?

As I walked into class the first week, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect.
We covered the basics of finger spelling, core vocabulary, body position, and even how your facial expressions and mouth movements add clarity and emphasis to what you’re signing.

Then came the biggest surprise:

Two of my classmates were hard of hearing.

I became friends with them quickly. I was fascinated by how someone could grow up in silence

without already knowing sign language. They had learned to communicate through lip reading —

but they were eager to learn ASL for the first time.

Our small group from class began attending “Silent Dinners,” where we would practice only

using sign language. No speaking allowed. We even practiced ordering with the table host as if

we were unable to hear or speak. It was meant to give us perspective — a small glimpse into

what it might feel like to live in a “silent world.”After being in that class, learning so much, and attending those dinners, it didn’t take long to realize:

I had been blind — even hearing impaired — to a whole world of people living in silence.

God took me through an experience that stretched my heart to love people the way God made

them. He grew my heart for loving others in our differences. He grew my patience and grace

when people learn differently or live differently than I do.

So how do I parent in a way that helps my kids understand compassion and empathy for others?

Colossians 3:12 says, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

Jesus saw people who were lost, hurting, and living in a kind of “silent world” of brokenness.

Colossians reminds those of us who believe in Christ to be imitators of Christ — to live the way

He shows us to live.

That means I am to live in such a way that I:

See and hear others and not be distracted.

Go out of my way to serve and put myself in their situation to learn and be curious about

their world.

Love others despite our differences.

Verbally communicate to my kids that even though others look different, sound

different, think differently, make choices differently, lead differently, smell different,

learn differently, react differently, play differently… the same God who made you is the

same God who made them. The same God who loves you is the same God who loves

them. The same Jesus who died for you is the same Jesus who died for them.

The same way God wants us to love Him and love each other is the same love He wants us to

show others, too.

Let’s be parents who see others the way Jesus does — and raise our children to do the

same. May we slow down, notice the overlooked, and teach our kids the beauty of Christ’s

compassion for all people.

The love of Jesus is for all.