Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Anything but thunder

i read this lovely post in a little bit of awe, i think.

how did i forget that he spoke to fishes? that he clothed lilies? that he knew every sparrow in the field?
when did i stop knowing?

i think there is a personal directive for all of us, much like elijah's: "what are you doing here?" and then, "go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by: (1 kings 19: 11). we mutter our incoherent excuses, and He simply says go SEE.

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper (1 kings 19: 11-12)

i see myself everywhere--my interests, my needs, my wants, my way. i cry out, "where are you? WHO are you?" all the while i stopped seeking him in anything but thunder. i cry out for writing on walls and earth ripped wide, but he whispers loudest in silent tears and my own broken heart.

how do you remember the grace of invitation, the call to see him in the wind?

a grateful nod to amy for her gentle nudging, her beautiful words to hear the only voice that matters. i am learning to sift through the rubble to see his ways; now i must sift through my own heart to see him.

and i know that i see him now in my children's eyes: the colors of the ocean, a stone, the sky; i see him in my husband's pewter circle; i see him in the knitting of stitches and the breaking of bread. i see, Lord. help me Hear.

writing imperfectly, sharing grace with emily.

19 comments:

Nancy said...

How did I forget? I, too, think I am forgetful--forgetting the lessons I thought I knew so well from childhood Bible stories. Maybe it's not so much forgetting, but getting drawn deeper in--knowing in real ways, knowing with the heart and not just the mind? How good God is, to continue to whisper until we stop and see and hear.

Blessings to you this Thanksgiving, Misty. Grateful to have met you.

Lisa notes... said...

"He whispers loudest in silent tears and my own broken heart."

I find this to be true over and over and over. Even though my tears have not been silent today, I have heard his whispers loudly. Thank you for crafting these beautiful words. May you have a blessed Thanksgiving, Misty.

Anonymous said...

i forget to seek God more than i would like to admit. when everything is going wonderfully in my life, i forget. it seems that when i am struggling or have a crisis is the only time i really turn to him, but he wants us to turn to him at all times. it is hard to remember to see, isn't it?

wishing you a happy thanksgiving!

Lauri said...

"When did I stop knowing?" I too am all too forgetful, ready to miss God's presence in the everyday. Thank you for the reminder to listen for the still small voice!

amy said...

you were reminded, and now you have reminded us. thank you misty. i will cling to these words. have a wonderful thanksgiving.

keLi said...

"i cry out for writing on walls and earth ripped wide, but he whispers loudest in silent tears and my own broken heart."

this was beautiful, misty.

Shosannah said...

He breathes throug these everyday moments. The simple, homespun fabric of lives.
Thank you for opening my eyes this morning and reminding me of this wonder.
Beautiful post.
xx

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Melanie N. Brasher said...

Misty,

I too see Him through my toddler's eyes, and I'm learning a new child-like love all over again.

Beautiful post, and thanks for your comment on my blog. Congrats to you on #4. Praying that you're little one stays safe.

Mel

alittlebitograce said...

i am learning to sift through the rubble to see his ways; now i must sift through my own heart to see him.

me too. i've been screaming for thunder and wall-writing, but now i understand where to look. thank you!

p.s i like your new look. :)

Mommy Emily said...

he whispers loudest in silent tears and my own broken heart.


oh misty. how you bleed grace. how i see him in you. know this. know it deep, friend.

Loni said...

i am learning to sift through the rubble to see his ways; now i must sift through my own heart to see him.

Ohhhh . . . me too . . .

Thank you for sharing . . . .our hearts whisper the same together.

Jingle said...

powerful prose.
true, personal detective does exist in all of us.

Jodi said...

Because you heard you were able to remind me. Thank you, Amy. "Faith comes by hearing"

Shannan Martin said...

Just beautiful. Reminds me of one of my favorite old-school songs, by Out of the Grey - "He is not silent, He is not whispering, we are not quiet, we are not listening..."

Unknown said...

Misty,

this was exquisite. truly.

And I wish I could give you a hug.

just sayin'

Leslie said...

i woke up this morning thinking of you, misty... and came back here to read this again. may you be surrounded by His love today... wrapped in grace and peace and beauty... lifted up.

Unknown said...

how are you sweet , Misty?

Leslie said...

thinking of you, today, misty...