CERTAIN MOMENTS

Conversation for May 30, 2011

Written by Lynda Kinnard

There are certain moments in our lives that become imbedded into our minds, hearts and souls. Childhood events, meeting someone who allows us to improve ourselves, or just hearing and seeing things that alter our view of this world and our place in it forever. The moment we invite The Lord into our hearts. And, the instant that we realize that the “still, small voice” truly is God, speaking directly into us.

Knowing God’s will and faithfully submitting every day, is challenging at best and feels impossible at times. Thankfully, He allows us to see and experience things that prove His power and love for us.

May 15, 2011 -- Twain Harte CA

Waking to a hush that let me know that the world outside the cabin windows had been transformed overnight. Speechless, still and awestruck by the power that has taken us from Friday’s warm and easy sunshine that carried the promise of summer to this delicate purity of new-fallen snow that is a beginning and an end unto itself.

Slipping momentarily back into my childhood, I wanted to tuck my yarn-tied pigtails into the hood of the jacket that I’d loved when I was twelve years old, so I could go out to play. But this is forty years and 3,000 miles away from then. This here and now is the Sunday morning of our retreat and time for us to gather for worship.

Window blinds raised and candles lit to allow us to maneuver in the sudden loss of power, we prepared to do what we needed, in spite of the darkness. We could see what mattered, and would not be dismayed.

So we worshipped as our mothers’ grandmothers’ must have done. In rooms that were made sacred because God was known to be there. Sharing the symbols of sacrifice through communion; we were carried back to the time that changed humankind through many generations to each of us.

We sang the worship songs that we all knew, and then moved as one outside to the porch. We stood under the eaves and sang to The One Who Loves Us Best. Our voices are all different, like the snowflakes that continued to fall. It was as if the angels from heaven were whispering in harmony with us.

Then, we stopped, silently caught in the powerful vision of the glory that awaits us all. Knowing that one day we would share a place far beyond the beauty that we felt in this moment. One by one, our worship began again. But this time, no one led and no one followed. One by one, we spoke or sang to the Lord according to our hearts. Our individual praise was as unique as the snowflakes, but our voices intertwined into the language of the angels.

We stood side by side in our faith, each alone in our time with The Lord. And in the silence that followed; the Small Voice of the melting snow began a change of season once again.

Added to by Corinne Mustafa 

We could have had a sunny day that Sunday or even a rainy day. Either of those would have been ordinary. This special Sunday in the middle of May it was snowing, and that made the day extraordinary. It was as described by Lynda. As I stood out on the front deck worshiping with my friends I believed that I got a message from the Lord. As I looked at the white blanket of snow on the trees I realized something. I know by faith that God is always near. He may be as near as a face to face encounter but we do not actually see him. On that spectacular Sunday I felt that the snow on the trees was a physical manefestation that God was nearby in a visible way. I was totally touched by His graciousness!