This actually meant I had to turn off my car radio,
well the CD player at any rate. I am the kind of person who likes to have a
little background noise going. Even while I am writing or working, sometimes
even reading. So, I think that this
exercise to keep a holy Lent had to do with, for me at least, silence.
I gotta admit…I got nothing: no moment of clarity,
no voice of God in my head moment, no unique observations about the world
around me, or reduced road rage. Nothing!
Not even on the 40 minutes round trip to the
hospital for visitation. Nothing. 40
minutes is probably the longest I have gone without music or some audio in the
car since I blew out the 6x9’s in my ’78 Olds Cutlass Supreme I had after
college. Now that car had some
thump!
To be honest though, my car is not one to provide a
particularly silent ride. Maybe that is
what today’s exercise was about, sort of a Zen and the Art of Motorcycle
Maintenance kind of thing. You know, be
one with your car, or something like that.
Okay, probably not. But, for pushing 20 years old, my car sounds pretty good and it still
gets up and goes when I push on the gas. I bought it brand new off the lot the very same year my wife and I got
married. I don’t know why I have kept it all these years. Maybe I just like the ride, or the targa top,
or that it looks sportier than it is. Or, maybe it’s sort of like how pitchers don’t change their underwear
when they have a winning streak going. I
did, after all, have a pretty great year when I bought the car – getting married to my wife and all, and I don’t want my winning streak to fall apart!
Wait…what was I talking about? Oh yeah, I got nothing out of the silence
today. And yes, in case you were
wondering, I do have this constant, random stream of consciousness run through
my head. Just today it was without a
soundtrack!
(Random scripture reference that has nothing to do
with what I have written – Judges 4:17 “Now Sisera had fled away on foot to the
tent of Jael wife of Heber the Kenite; for there was peace between King Jabin
of Hazor and the clan of Heber the Kenite.”)
Dear God, remind us of your presence even when our
efforts to seek you seem fruitless. Keep
us passionate for glimpses of you in the world around us. Amen!
Shalom Y'all,
Owen
What am I doing to draw closer to God during the 40 days and 40 nights? First, I have been keeping several doctor appointments to be a good steward to my body. Second, I am trying to be committed to being a financially responsible person. Mostly I have been on my knees praying for God to be always present to my daughter who is 32 and diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. God has been treading away with us and seeing those God moments through others and our tight knit family we give God glory for each day we have with our children and grandchildren. I hope to continue reading your messages. Kindest Regards, L. J. Swanson
ReplyDeletePeace to you and your family! You are in my prayers.
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