I have three screens in front of me. The blue glow of work is ever before me, but my eyes are drawn quite often to the scene and the sound just outside my window.

On this particular Friday morning, Sam has gone to work. The morning TV news has been turned off. Alexa has been told to “turn off.” My long checklist of devotions have been read. Breakfast of two eggs in a cup, done. Blue glow is in front of me and a needle in a haystack somewhere in Europe awaits an email enticement of a new job possibility.

But.

Somewhere in the distance there is a mourning dove cooing. In the neighbor’s yard, there is a spat between a squirrel and a blackbird. Downstairs, grandfather clock reminds me it is 45 minutes past. Cardinals and robins are in full Top 40 mode as the pinkish orange sky changes to morning white mixed with spring blue sky. From the kitchen, the tumble of ice cubes falling into the ice tray stirs me from my thoughts.

Thoughts.

Thoughts of painful memories. Thoughts of how much we love our home and our small town USA. Thoughts of prayers for a few on my mind. Thoughts of mom. Thoughts of a very long to-do list. Thoughts of scripture…

Be still and know. Know that I am God.

The steadfast love of the LORD never ends. His mercy never comes to an end. It is new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness, my Lord.

I watch a neighbor’s cat as it meanders and then crouches, hoping to nab whatever moved in the grass.

On this Friday early morning, I am grateful for the sound of silence, for these moments before the blue glow of work encompasses my brain. I am grateful for the beauty just outside my window. I am grateful for the simple comfort of our home. I am grateful for productivity, with work, with home organization, with the building project in our back yard. I am grateful that a rough night for Sam is over and a new day brings a renewed “spring” in his step.

I am grateful for the sounds of morning silence.

And the mourning dove coos.