Navigating Stormy Days

June, July & August make up the time we refer to as the season of summer. In the month of June in particular, as we step into the summer season, it feels like new life is bursting forth all around us in every possible way: the trees have grown new leaves, flowers are planted & pushing up through the earth daily, birds are singing as they build their nests & hatch their eggs, & depending upon where we live, we can hear the little voices of children laughing & playing now that school is out. It’s a wonderful time of year, with graduations, weddings, picnics, & vacations, among other things. It is hard not to feel grateful to God our Creator for all the gifts given in this season. As we feel gratitude, it’s important to pause in our busy – sometimes chaotic lives to give thanks to God for each gift of the season is given to us by God our Creator. We can give thanks to God through our actions, our words, our songs & our prayers among other things. Each day, whether it be rain or shine, reminds me of the words in the wonderful old hymn: “For the Beauty of the Earth”:

“For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth over & around us lies; Lord of all to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour of the day & of the night, hill & vale, & tree & flower, sun & moon & stars of light; Lord of all to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child, friends on earth & friends above, for all gentle thoughts & mild; Lord of all to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

For Thyself, best Gift Divine, to the world so freely given, for that great, great love of Thine, peace on earth & joy in heaven; Lord of all to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.”

When we are paying attention, we can experience God’s gifts & believe fully the gifts are given to us from our Creator but we cannot fully understand His Grace. God’s Grace of creation & transcendental transformation is something we cannot understand fully. It arises beyond human knowledge & reason & transcends all earthly understanding, yet, the gift of new life is promised to us by God. It is in God’s promise for new life that all hope lies.

As recipients of life given in all forms, one would think we would be rooted in thanks to God by praising Him & reflecting His light to the world through our living. However, the truth is, living from a place of continual praise & gratitude is just not where we are all the time. As grateful as we may feel in our heart of hearts, more than likely we’d all agree that it is a challenge to live in a spirit of gratitude all of the time. Sometimes we allow other things in life to interfere & demand our attention & we lose our focus & our balance. When that happens, fear, despair & other negative emotions can take us over & we can forget, or neglect God, in some cases, all together & the peace & hope that comes from living from a place of gratitude in partnership with God can slip away. So, the question is; how can we bridge the gap between the weight of sadness, grief, & anxiety over the storms that assail us from time to time & the feelings & expressions of gratitude & praise to God that fills our heart? 

~Posted by Rev Kathryn Bindig, MDiv. MS; Pastoral Care Minister with assistance from Rich Muscatello; Director of Business Development & Strategy