AS I WATCHED AND LISTENED

Today, as I read my devotions, I intentionally observed and listened. I’d like to invite you to share my joy.

AS I WATCHED AND LISTENED

Juneteenth 2018

As I bathed myself in the sights and sounds of my backyard this morning, I heard the songs of two different birds and watched a cardinal skip across my yard before flitting up to a nearby tree branch.  The sun shone brightly through the trees for the first time in several days, finally unencumbered by the humidity, which had been palpable.

I glanced up from my reading to see one of the bushes, dwarfed by a convention of 50-foot trees, lean back, opening her leafy face to the sun, smiling in sheer delight as the rays danced across her leaves. Nourishing herself, she drank greedily of the golden light. I could sense the chlorophyll celebrating and greening deeply as she slowed her breathing, relishing the energy surging through her veins, and translating it into oxygen. In sheer joy, she exhaled her priceless gift, of which I consciously took in small sips.

As I looked around at the trees far above my head, they lifted their branches in praise to the Creator.  I heard a song of thanksgiving being sung as a round moving from one tree to another to the birds. A languorous breeze interwove a countermelody, to which the shimmering ferns, hovering close to the ground, sang harmony.

My heart sings, too. The tears in my eyes are crystals of hope and promise. God is. God is here. Creation rejoices. Hope applauds. I am blessed.

In that moment, my two cats sat up, ears turned to catch the refrain.

Author: Penney Rahm

I am a retired United Methodist pastor, having served in churches for 34 years. Having spent most of my life in upstate New York and Northeast and Central Pennsylvania, I am now living in South Carolina with my 3 cats and 91 year old mother. View all posts by Penney Rahm