Overnight rain slowed in the morning and it seemed that the predicted storm came through quicker than expected. The morning air smelled of rain and it was warmer than it has been in a while. Miles and I crept out to the backyard to check out greenhouse and see what grew overnight. We milled around the backyard half-, heartedly cleaning up and poking around various spots in the garden checking on new plants, bugs and the chickens. The breeze was noticeable. Strong but warm. Pleasant. It smelled of spring and earth. Reluctantly, we headed back in to continue on homeschool lessons.
As the day wore on the wind grew noticeable. It went from a strong breeze to wind to a wind storm. Gusts rattled the house and trees. It was otherwise oddly pleasant, but the wind was going crazy. And suddenly, a knock at the door.
I saw a fully suited police officer waiting, hands on hips. My mind raced. I thought about my friend who isn't doing so well. Or maybe trouble with kids... or did someone call the cops on my chickens. I mean, this is suburbia, it could literally be anything.
I took a deep breath and opened the door. I look out and my neighbor and another officer are holding up my fence.
"It's about to crash on your vehicle. "
I grabbed my keys and ran out in my socks to move the van. I then darted back through the house in search of something strong that could help hold up the fence. I returned with a couple of ladders that I pulled out from behind the shed.
With the fence secured, the officers hurried off to help with some downed power lines down the road. My neighbor called her husband who happened to be a fence contractor to come shore up the fence.
The wind howled wildly. I stood there. Perplexed. It was pretty nice out otherwise. The sun was shining from time to time. The wind was pleasant, just strong. It was like standing in a polite hurricane.
I thought of Pentecost. The wind whipping through the upper room, tongues of fire resting on everyone's head.
CS Lewis writes - "Aslan isn't a tame lion. "
Sometimes the Spirit of God comes like a hurricane and tears our world apart. Blowing down our fences and uprooting our lives.
A pastor friend once told me that you know when you are doing God's work because eventually the police show up.
Praying that this Lent sends you some wild wind that breaks down walls, opens doors and uproots your life. And if it does, apparently my neighbor is a fence contractor and can help you rebuild.
Amen
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