morning

A delightful breeze blows, waving the wind sock, rustling the branches, feeling like cool breath on my skin. Two ravens converse nearby, though I do not see them. The jays are back this morning, screeching to each other, busy flying about. So too are the chickadees, I hear their singing in a budding black oak. There was a junco on my balcony yesterday, a new visitor for Spring. I suspect I shall have more than my accustomed visitors. Squirrels run along the ground, lit up bright by the rising sun, illuminating each strand of standing hair on their tails.

I remain a little restless this morning. That is not a measure good or ill of my spiritual self. The measure comes in how I respond, what direction I let this restlessness take me. Some throw it out by way of anger and frustration, often excusing themselves for such by blaming others, especially the dumb drivers around them. Other vices seek to crowd their way in, hoping to sap our energy, and take for themselves the resources it offers. The sins queue up, ready to beseech our souls for attention. They lie and cheat, but are convincing at times. A little, as I think about it, like spam. So, each day we have to ponder and erase, becoming better at seeing what is good and what is rot. The Spirit aids us in this task, though for all our lives there will be this battle, even if it will in fact lighten with combined effort.

So, I have my list of tasks, my hoped for responses, as well as my welcomed spiritual schedule. I remember reading how the monasteries sought to standardize spirituality, thus creating a regular rhythm, thus driving out the chance for sin, and also in the process stifling individuality for the sake of community. The fullness of the Spirit, however, always works for both unity and diversity. Our individuality is not rightly stifled by any religious act, nor should any religious act encourage separation. We become more of who we are through the enlivening work of God among us, and rather than losing ourselves within the commands of others, we let lose our being into the waters of the Spirit, and become more of an individual, becoming fully persons in community with others.

Always, though, there is the importance of a rhythm, of a melody, which marks our adherence. The discordant noise of wrongful walking resonates throughout the world, though our ears have become deadened to the dissonance. So, in keeping a rhythm while pursuing that which is uniquely me this morning I hope to attune my ear, and join in with the complex symphony the Spirit conducts. It is a fine road, looking to be neither sharp nor flat, hot nor cold, overzealous or underwatchful. That is why we pray. To the day I now go.