Now and Then You Have To Go There!

Wisconsin bluffs along the Mississippi River

These are the hills 

to which I literally

have lifted up 

my squinty, green eyes 

over the years and asked, "Where will my help come from?"

sand dunes at Silver Lake in Michigan

And these are the still waters 

to which I have returned again and again to find rest. 

Sand Lake, near Grant, Michigan

Lake Michigan, Oceana County beach

Little Point Sable Lighthouse, Oceana County, Michigan

 It’s the earth’s purpose to serve God this way.

But I wonder if a metaphor still stands strong if its reality-check leg has become dislodged. Surely, we need to "take our place," into our reading, into our prayers.

sailing on Lake Michigan with an approaching storm

A Story

Sometime, after we arrived in Minnesota, my young daughter asked, 

"Mom, how do the people here know what size they are?"  

"What do you mean?" I replied.

"Well, you know, like, at home, when we go to Lake Michigan and sit on the beach, we can look out so far that know we are not very big compared to God.  But then, the sand that sticks to your hands is made up of lots of the tiniest stones.  And you know you're bigger than they are.  How do Minnesotans know what size they are?" 

I was still thinking when she came up with her own answer.  

"I guess it's the wind."

Now that we've been here a while, I'd probably add, "And sometimes the frigid cold or the blistering heat.  And, certainly, long prairie views.  And sitting on the edge of any one of ten-thousand lakes-full of water."      

The heavens declare the glory of God

and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Day to day pours out speech,

and night to night reveals knowledge.

There is no speech, nor are there words,

whose voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out through all the earth,

and their words to the end of the world.  

                                                          Psalm 19:1-4

Much Grace,

Pastor Shirley