When you get weary of hearing your own voice, listen to God’s.

I thank God for providing me with moments and spaces to simply be still. Spending time at a retreat at St. Francis in Hillsborough, Auckland, is always a grounding and centering experience. As someone who leads a busy life and wears many hats, I make it a priority to attend a retreat at least once a year. Next year, I plan to go even more frequently—because now, more than ever, I realize how much I need it.

I’ve learned to recognize when I need stillness. Balancing my roles at church, home, and school can sometimes feel overwhelming. Just being a teacher alone is a challenge. One moment, I feel energized and inspired to teach; the next, I’m exhausted and drained. It’s a constant cycle of highs and lows, a rollercoaster of emotions and energy. And through it all, it’s my own inner voice that I hear.

Over time, I’ve realized that when my voice dominates and begins to wear me out, I need to pause, slow down, and listen to another voice—the voice of God. His voice is comforting and restorative. These days, I’ve come to understand that I can only hear Him in moments of silence.

In the retreat, I found solace in walking through the Labyrinth of Prayer, a sacred space nestled among the trees. Unlike a maze, the labyrinth has no dead ends or tricks. It’s a simple, clear pathway that allows you to walk freely, carrying your burdens, questions, and prayers to God. As I walked, the noise within and around me seemed to fade away. Step by step, I felt lighter, and as I reached the center of the labyrinth, I could hear God’s voice again.

Listening to God’s voice is deeply healing. When I call out His name in silent prayer, over and over, it shifts my focus away from myself and back to Him.

Indeed, He is my God of silence.