Buttercups in Bloom

Our faith tells of a time in which God protected God's people in a journey that began in a rush, a journey that had frightful challenges and communal hardships.  It was a journey in which they must have felt fear as they left behind all that they had known.  Their hearts must have been pounding as they turned to walk out of the homes for their last time.  Their souls must have been shaking as they crossed the water bed that led to dry land.  They must have wondered if their lives would ever return to what they had known before. In the exodus, in the wandering, they no longer had the security of the walls of the temple.  Their rituals disturbed. The Holy of Holy contained in their stories, in the development of a new community.  The indwelling of God's presence making its home within the depths of their being.  In the walking, they had to carry the holiness of God with them, pitching the tent of the Holy One wide wherever they landed.   In the...

I..... Took my favorite drive Lingered drinking coffee with a sweet friend in a beautiful place. Stood at an overlook to fill my soul Caught up with colleagues around the fireplace. I wasn't concerned that I had left my charger at home and the charge on my phone was fading. I fell asleep in the wee hours of the morning. Something was brewing...... Others..... Readied their children for school Hurried off to work Moments of innocence flowed as children played outside. Dinner was eaten in the car on their way to their child's after-school activities. Homework was completed Nighttime routines took place Children were snuggled into their beds. Sleep came in the late hours of the day. Something was coming...... In the thin line of time for which darkness lingers and the morning has not yet come, that which had been brewing gathered full strength. That which was coming was on top of us without warning.   The violence of a tornado was upon us. Within minutes the force of the tornado ...