LOUD

I grew up close to the beach in Southern California. We experienced the East Coast fall via calendars hung on the wall or pictures shared by others and movies seen on TV or in the theater. We knew of the beauty but our experience was limited. This is my first fall on the East Coast and I have learned fall is LOUD. The pictures I grew up appreciating, the ones oozing with a brilliant beauty, were silent. Scenes from movies had peaceful music playing while tree leaves changed colors and gently floated to the ground.

Well, as truly amazing as it is to witness it with my own eyes, my ears and nerves have been a bit rocked. Leaves do not fall silently, in actuality, they sound like something creeping up behind you. I also had no idea leaves were not the only things that dropped to the ground. Truly, I did not realize sticks and acorns also come smashing down. One of our pastors posted in response to the acorns hitting her roof, "So now it sounds like it’s raining doorknobs.” Yep that sums it up.

Have you ever pictured God as loud? Have you ever read a bible story and thought, “Wow, God sure did have to be loud to get their attention.” What about the plagues on Egypt when Pharaoh ignored Moses (Exodus 7-13)? What about when Saul encountered God on the road to Damascus and was blinded (Acts 9)? Sometimes God has to be loud to get our attention.

I know we are using a telescope this month to look at God differently. However, this week let’s use our ears to look at God. Be intentional about listening for Him and about sharing what you hear out loud. When an acorn hits the roof, say, “What is God trying to tell us?” When the wind blows, say, “What is God trying to whisper to our hearts?”

Take the conversations a step further and make them more tangible. Share a question you have for God. Pray together as a family for each of the questions and then listen.

*This past year the families at Peachtree Presbyterian Church took the challenge together to look at choosing your faith in Jesus as a keepsake to be intentionally handed down to your kids. Part of that process included weekly emails to encourage bringing God into the center of our normal lives. These posts include some of those weekly emails and will continue as my Keepsake Token section. November's trinket = The telescope.