Embracing the Storms
Nita Gilger
Okay. I admit it. I sometimes use closed captions when watching TV. I have had my hearing tested. There is a little loss of hearing in one ear but not enough to warrant hearing aids just yet. But sometimes, depending on the show, the various accents and speech styles throw me for a loop. I find myself asking, "What did they say?"
Last night's storms were loud with huge lightning strikes all around. Our bedroom, with its many windows, had surround sound and great views of everything, including storms. Fortunately, we had no hail or wind damage which allowed us to just lay back and enjoy the fury and power of the storm. I found myself asking the storms, "What did you say?"
Alan Watts said, "The sound of rain needs no translation." That was true for me in the wee hours of the morning as huge drops pelted our windows. The blinds were open and the electric light show lit up our bedroom with power and beauty. I did not need closed captions to feel the wonder and majesty of the storms. I simply needed to BE in that space with eyes and heart wide open.
These storms are giving us some much-needed rain. The earth and our lake are rejoicing for this wonderful gift. I know that not all storms are easy and welcomed. While I am enjoying the unique beauty and bounteous rain here on our hilltop, others have lost everything with flooding and tornados in other parts of the state and country.
Fyodor Dostoevsky once said, "The darker the night, the brighter the stars, the deeper the grief, the closer is God!"
Whatever storms are surrounding you--both the welcomed ones and the ones you wish would go away, I hope you can find direction and hope. As I lay on my comfy bed watching the storms rage, I felt peace and intrigue. It seems my life keeps circling around and around leading me back to simply being curious. I am curious about how certain things are going to turn our or how God will work in and through some situations that perplex me and give me pause. I am curious about what the next things are that I need to learn. Yes, there are moments when I want to use spiritual closed captions and ask again, "God, what did you say?"
Last night's storms got my attention. Perhaps that is the best and main conduit for spiritual growth and messages. Yes! Pay attention!! Look and listen! If God had chosen to send me a closed caption across our bedroom wall, perhaps it would have been this: Be still and know that I am God. Amen
Last night's storms were loud with huge lightning strikes all around. Our bedroom, with its many windows, had surround sound and great views of everything, including storms. Fortunately, we had no hail or wind damage which allowed us to just lay back and enjoy the fury and power of the storm. I found myself asking the storms, "What did you say?"
Alan Watts said, "The sound of rain needs no translation." That was true for me in the wee hours of the morning as huge drops pelted our windows. The blinds were open and the electric light show lit up our bedroom with power and beauty. I did not need closed captions to feel the wonder and majesty of the storms. I simply needed to BE in that space with eyes and heart wide open.
These storms are giving us some much-needed rain. The earth and our lake are rejoicing for this wonderful gift. I know that not all storms are easy and welcomed. While I am enjoying the unique beauty and bounteous rain here on our hilltop, others have lost everything with flooding and tornados in other parts of the state and country.
Fyodor Dostoevsky once said, "The darker the night, the brighter the stars, the deeper the grief, the closer is God!"
Whatever storms are surrounding you--both the welcomed ones and the ones you wish would go away, I hope you can find direction and hope. As I lay on my comfy bed watching the storms rage, I felt peace and intrigue. It seems my life keeps circling around and around leading me back to simply being curious. I am curious about how certain things are going to turn our or how God will work in and through some situations that perplex me and give me pause. I am curious about what the next things are that I need to learn. Yes, there are moments when I want to use spiritual closed captions and ask again, "God, what did you say?"
Last night's storms got my attention. Perhaps that is the best and main conduit for spiritual growth and messages. Yes! Pay attention!! Look and listen! If God had chosen to send me a closed caption across our bedroom wall, perhaps it would have been this: Be still and know that I am God. Amen