Among the boxes, purging, organizing, new routines, and hunting for the uncovered/discovered yet, a few things hit me this week. Maybe someone else needs to hear what hit/found me.
Friends share things … so …
HIT #1
THE RAIN … Saturday, it rained hard and long. I watched the drops cause ripples and give texture to the still lake. I don’t remember if I’ve ever done that. But, what caught my attention most was the sound!! I stood on the porch and could hear the rain bouncing off of leaves, making the most serene chorus. My body sighed, my heart calmed. What a lovely song the raindrops made through the trees. It was as if they had a voice all their own and were singing a beautiful ballad. It stilled me. I listened. It seemed important. I drank it in like a parched land.
I know this is not the only time raindrops have sung. But, if you are not in a quiet place among trees, you will probably not hear it. Unless you have a tin roof. I’ve not heard it for a long time. It was nostalgic and fresh and welcomed.
HIT #2
ESTHER … we are studying the book of Esther at church.
This is a well known book about a historical event in the Persian Empire. I’ve studied and written about this book. It’s full of life and questions and wondering. It has struck me anew, Esther’s life and mine have similarities … often life has no simple explanations. Questions are not neatly answered and tied up with a bow like we wish. Some of life will always have question marks.
Why did Mordecai make Esther, a Jew, disregard her religion and present herself to a pagan King?
Why were Mordecai and Esther still in Persia? Jews could return to Jerusalem.
Why did Mordecai reveal his nationality, but told Esther not to?
On and on it goes. Of course, like always, there are easy classroom answers. But if you really study and let the situation put on flesh and bones, the questions linger! More arise.
Esther’s life is messy, unpredictable, unanswerable many times. It’s easy to give the answer “God” to every question and people sometimes do. But God is never mentioned in this book. We don’t hear Esther or Mordecai refer to Him. The events tell the story and they take time to roll out. The reader is left asking, How is God working here and what does this tell me about Him? What do I learn about God’s character and what is God trying to show me through this place and people? Complete answers are not always ours to discover in this lifetime. I believe there are holy, hushed reasons our earthly minds and hearts can’t possibly comprehend. Some things will be revealed beyond this world, face to face. It doesn’t make them easier, in fact, we may wrestle with them and that’s ok!
This is not a simple answer book. It reminds me of the story God is writing through each of our lives. No straightforward answers. Incomplete answers; more questions than answers. It’s messy and unpredictable. God knows that! He’s still with us!
In the end, His providence reigns. It doesn’t mean it’s not messy and totally confusing at times!
HIT #3
THIS SONG …
For two Sundays now, we have sung this song in worship; new to me. Boy … it hit me!
“The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.””
Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV
As I sang it to God and about God, I felt so drawn to Him. It was like as I sang a line, He repeated it to me replacing the “I” with “You” cementing it’s words into my heart. Strengthening every belief and bolstering my faith. At the risk of the men in the white coats coming for me … it was like His arms of reassurance, comfort, love, safety and security were enveloping me and pulling me close.
Take a listen. Listen a second time and hear the words in parentheses …
Shelter by Vertical Worship
The arrows fly, ten thousand fall, Still, You (I’ll) protect me (you) through it all
The waters rise, The oceans rage, Still, You’re (I’m) the One the storm obeys
In the shelter of Your (My) presence
In the shadow of Your (My) wings,
I (You) am (are) safe
I (You) am (are) safe
I (You) will hold onto Your (My) promise
You (I) will not abandon me (You)
I (You) am (are) safe
I (You) am (are) safe
To You (Me), I (You) run when mountains shake
You (I) are (am) my (your) shield, my (your) hiding place
Almighty God, I (You) will draw near
Your (My) perfect love, Casts out all fear
In the shelter of Your (My) presence
In the shadow of Your (My) wings,
I (You) am (are) safe
I (You) am (are) safe
I (You) will hold onto Your (My) promise
You (I) will not abandon me (You)
I (You) am (are) safe
I (You) am (are) safe
There’s nothing left to fear
There’s nothing left to fear
There’s nothing left to fear
There’s nothing left to fear
In the shelter of Your (My) presence
In the shadow of Your (My) wings
I (You) am (are) safe
I (You) am (are) safe
I (You) will hold onto Your (My) promise
You (I) will not abandon me (You)
I (You) am (are) safe
I (You) am (are) safe
I (You) am (are) safe
I (You) am (are) safe
What HIT YOU this week?
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Still Fighting Packing Tape,
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Elaine Stone 