Melodies

“Adventure in the pursuit of the obvious.” G. K. Chesterton - “Orthodoxy”

This thought details my ramblings more than any I’ve seen recently. The above sentiment concludes a quite eloquent dialog concerning discovery of truth through reason; along with the natural urgings to elaborate extraordinary truths to the point of fantasy or the unreal. In his book "Orthodoxy" Chesterton takes his audience to the practical beauty found in the discovery of everyday truths. He suggests, “Discover that the rhinoceros does exist and then take pleasure in the fact that he looks as if he didn’t.” G.K. Chesterton.

Chesterton’s sentiments echo, or more correctly, proceed the thoughts of Annie Dillard in her book, “Pilgrim at Tinker Creek”.

Summing up the reflections offered concerning a couple wonderfully told stories of life Dillard leaves the reader with, “The answer must be, I think, that beauty and grace are performed whether or not we will or sense them. The least we can do is try to be there.”

The above authors confer that life in its simplicity is a marvelous gift from God. Why search for the fantastic when the tangible offers such wonder. Indulge in common pleasures and then laugh at the fact so many fail to see the irony.

Nature inspires me and I find blessing in the fact that the creator orchestrates moments just for my personal digestion. I say personal because I am alone when these things occur. If no one else is there and beauty abounds it must logically be concluded that the beauty was indeed created for me. What an awesome thing to realize personal interaction with God himself.

A few days back, I was privileged to be witness to a bird’s first flight. I was taking in all the flavors of the morning horizon when a little bird came fluttering down into my view. The canopy of oaks above me must have been his nursery of security but for today he had made the choice to jump out into the world. After a frightful free fall the small bird hovered over the surface of the water, briefly, then plunged his feet and at least one third of his body into the wet. At this moment was when I realized the awkwardness of a maiden voyage. I was about to be privy to this birds struggle and triumph.

The bird feverishly flapped his wings attempting a maneuver that appeared to be virgin at best. But at last, he was able to recover and begin his ascent into the morning sky. His little wings paddling the breeze at film flicker speed. A most magnificent sight.

Then punctuation, applause, celebration, filled the air by the belch of a blow horn from down stream. A large barge had let go of an impressive amount of sound at the precise moment the little bird gained confidence into flight as if God was confirming life with an "Amen". Emotion welled up within me as I had been a part.

God allowed me to commune but for a time with him, the bird, and the excitement of first steps - or flight for this matter - successful accomplishment that when appreciated became a melody to whistle when mind-set worsens. When life darkens I will hold on to these tunes I learned and know that “God Is” whether or not I am aware or present enough to know his love.

This morning Mattie climbed into my lap and asked me to read her a book. We sat at the feet of her closet and found joy with each other as we read through a prayer book about all the beauty God has made; all the wonder that he allows us to participate in. I love my daughter and I melt into puddles when she leans in tenderly to give her daddy a kiss. Precious love found in one another that bonds us together - but at the same time bringing us into unity with our Father God.

My family never fails to inspire me and bless me with their “quite common” breaths of life.

I find that God’s Love is all around us, we simply have to open our eyes, ears, hearts and allow his grace to infiltrate our story so that we may become a part of his.

There are folks that attempt to bridge the waters of the Divine as if to answer questions larger that the bridge itself and there are those who simply enjoy to float on the surface, enjoy the sea air, the sun, the breeze, the call of the seagull. - Take time to taste the feast that has been offered. Take time to enjoy the simple truths. The answers to the big ones will come when the "Big One" himself decides, no earlier.