November 22
. . . he soared on the wings of the wind. 2 Samuel 22:11
It was early on a Sunday morning; that part of the day when for many, the world is hushed for a few moments before the commotion of life begins. Our neighborhood was still quiet; no one was working in their yards yet; the bustle of traffic had not yet begun. The bacon sizzled in the frying pan as I prepared our traditional Sunday breakfast feast of bacon and eggs, fruit and even doughnuts! (Heaven forbid we eat like that today!!). In an effort to get everyone ready and out of the house on time for Mass, our morning was already in full swing at the start of this new day. Our baby daughter was in her high chair nibbling rice cakes while my husband entertained her, and our older children were still upstairs in their rooms when I heard an unusual sound coming from outside the kitchen window! With some concern, I thought some sort of activity from upstairs was creating this noise. But I couldn’t imagine just what would create this hissing, popping sound that seemed to be getting louder! I had to investigate! Out the back door I flew expecting to catch the two older kids “up to something,” so immediately looked up to the windows where I perceived the sound coming from. There to my amazement, directly overhead, drifting slowly over the tops of our trees and home were numerous brightly colored hot air balloons, peacefully floating by as the wind gently carried them. What an incredible sight! I felt I could reach out and touch them! The hissing and popping sounds were all around as the hot gas escaped! I couldn’t get everyone outside fast enough to see this most unbelievable sight in our neighborhood!
What a breathtaking scene! This unexpected entertaining surprise had us all in awe for over an hour; even the baby was spellbound by what she was witnessing! One by one and in groups they passed overhead, some almost side by side, and others soaring up higher than the rest. People looked down and waved with happy, excited smiles as we returned their greetings. It was exhilarating. It was many years before I again saw such a similar display, and it was hundreds of miles away!
That Sunday, we were in the right place at the right time to witness this rare, extraordinary event; the right place at the right time to be the recipients of such beauty, and for the wind’s direction to send this gift our way. We did not have to travel hundreds of miles to participate in it; it came to us. It makes me think about the mantra that I have come to make my own over the years, that “I am where God wants me to be at this moment.” and it gives me cause to ponder what special gift God might be sending my way right now - right this moment, right where I am; a gift that if I just stop for a moment and listen, may allow me to soar a little closer to the Giver, on the wings of the wind passing by.
Heavenly Father, when the winds of life carry us to uncertain places, may we remember that You have directed them so we can soar on wings to the gift awaiting us. Abba! Father! We are yours.
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson
. . . he soared on the wings of the wind. 2 Samuel 22:11
It was early on a Sunday morning; that part of the day when for many, the world is hushed for a few moments before the commotion of life begins. Our neighborhood was still quiet; no one was working in their yards yet; the bustle of traffic had not yet begun. The bacon sizzled in the frying pan as I prepared our traditional Sunday breakfast feast of bacon and eggs, fruit and even doughnuts! (Heaven forbid we eat like that today!!). In an effort to get everyone ready and out of the house on time for Mass, our morning was already in full swing at the start of this new day. Our baby daughter was in her high chair nibbling rice cakes while my husband entertained her, and our older children were still upstairs in their rooms when I heard an unusual sound coming from outside the kitchen window! With some concern, I thought some sort of activity from upstairs was creating this noise. But I couldn’t imagine just what would create this hissing, popping sound that seemed to be getting louder! I had to investigate! Out the back door I flew expecting to catch the two older kids “up to something,” so immediately looked up to the windows where I perceived the sound coming from. There to my amazement, directly overhead, drifting slowly over the tops of our trees and home were numerous brightly colored hot air balloons, peacefully floating by as the wind gently carried them. What an incredible sight! I felt I could reach out and touch them! The hissing and popping sounds were all around as the hot gas escaped! I couldn’t get everyone outside fast enough to see this most unbelievable sight in our neighborhood!
What a breathtaking scene! This unexpected entertaining surprise had us all in awe for over an hour; even the baby was spellbound by what she was witnessing! One by one and in groups they passed overhead, some almost side by side, and others soaring up higher than the rest. People looked down and waved with happy, excited smiles as we returned their greetings. It was exhilarating. It was many years before I again saw such a similar display, and it was hundreds of miles away!
That Sunday, we were in the right place at the right time to witness this rare, extraordinary event; the right place at the right time to be the recipients of such beauty, and for the wind’s direction to send this gift our way. We did not have to travel hundreds of miles to participate in it; it came to us. It makes me think about the mantra that I have come to make my own over the years, that “I am where God wants me to be at this moment.” and it gives me cause to ponder what special gift God might be sending my way right now - right this moment, right where I am; a gift that if I just stop for a moment and listen, may allow me to soar a little closer to the Giver, on the wings of the wind passing by.
Heavenly Father, when the winds of life carry us to uncertain places, may we remember that You have directed them so we can soar on wings to the gift awaiting us. Abba! Father! We are yours.
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson