Anticipating the rhythms of nature and god

​I was talking to a friend about the ocean. She said something beautiful that has become even more beautiful as I've reflected on it this week. She said, "what I love about the ocean is that she'll flow to you like she's listening to you."

It's true. If you stand and stare at the waves as they approach, it can begin to feel like they are coming to you. Just you. And it feels like they WANT to come to you.

And listen.

I stood at the top of a high-rise bridge earlier this week. I stood there waiting on the sun. And as it rose, in magnificence, it felt like it was coming for me. It felt indeed like it wanted to come to me.

And listen.

I wonder if these natural moments, these movements toward us, are letters from God. Reminders, maybe.

I want to come to you and listen.

When we don't feel like God is listening, is it because we aren't often enough noticing his arrival?

I met two friends yesterday for coffee and for dinner. I was the first one there in both cases. I sat and waited on them. And when they walked in, like the waves and the sun, they both looked like they were happy to be there.

Like they were anxious to listen.

I don't think people are always as reliable as the waves and the sun to show up and listen to us. It might be the rhythm of people far more than the rhythm of nature that leaves us doubting God's arrival.

God's desire for us.

I know it's not always easy to find our waves and sun people. I just know that when we do, we need to be thankful for the rhythm they bring to our lives. The reassurance they bring that we are seen and heard.

We need to love that about them, like the ocean.

And be reminded of the importance of being the waves and the sun in other people's lives. Of showing up like this is exactly where I want to be, longing to hear all that you have to say.

Because I have witnessed it; I have felt it, that when we lose hope in the rhythms of people, we begin to lose hope in the rhythms of the waves.

And the sun.

And God.

What I really love about the ocean is that she'll flow to you like she's listening to you.

Maybe there is nothing we all really love more.