God's Annoyances

          Some of you may have noticed I was not in my usual seat this Sunday morning. Instead, I was in my usual seat in my sunroom at home. Although I could see US 68 was clear, my car could not traverse our road as it had not yet been plowed. I was still snowed in. I had missed dinner with friends both Friday and Saturday evenings. I was yearning for food I did not have in my house. I was tired of drying dogs' paws so that they could come back into the house to go back to sleep on the couch and ottoman, only to decide a short time later they all had to go back out into the snow. God and that snow had complicated my life.

          As I settled in with my second cup of coffee to begin Morning Prayer, the sun came out from behind a cloud and began to bathe the sleeping dogs and me in its beautiful light. It was as if God was saying, "Here, I have given you this light so that you might worship in the warmth and beauty of My creation." As the dogs dreamed and snuffled in their sleep, my husband came into the room. We said Morning Prayer and shared communion.

          In the warmth of the sunlit room, after we had prayed, I languished in the silence and beauty of God's creation. Cardinals and squirrels gathered where I had left them food. The ripples of water from bubbler in the koi pond danced with reflections of the sunlight. No one seemed to be  traveling on the main road for all I could hear was the heater running, the sound of my own breathing and the rousing of my dogs as they prepared to convince me they once again needed to go outdoors to frolic in that beautiful snowy blanket God had draped over our small part of the earth.

          What began as a morning of grumbling and complaining, had become a period of time when Jesus reminded me of His constant presence in my life. What I had thought of as one of God's annoyances in my life (I shall mention some others at another time.), one that had kept me from doing what I wanted to do, became a living video of God's handiwork and a gentle reminder that all lof us must take our rest, even the earth, even a clergy person living in the netherlands of Bourbon County.

          Now, if you will excuse me, I have four dogs eager to go out in the snow and romp with me.

          PS- To you snowbirds in Hawaii, Florida and wherever else you may be, be safe and know your presence is missed.