Sounds

It’s November! I imagine that Thanksgiving decorations fill the stores in the United States right about now. Fall scents fill the air, colors like orange, brown, and red take center stage, soft glowing candles flicker, and soon the cooks among us will be planning menus of turkey, and all sorts of goodies that involve pumpkin, pecans, sweet potatoes, and other harvest tastes. 

Hopefully, no matter where we find ourselves, our hearts are leaning toward an attitude of Thanksgiving. For me, November is going to be full…very, very full. In the midst of a jam-packed calendar, I want my heart to lean toward thanksgiving. I stop in the cool of the morning, take a breath, close my eyes, and listen…

Songs

Songs that birds sing. Words can’t describe. “Chirp” is not sufficient to capture the beauty of a fluffy flying creature who praises the Lord every morning on que. Each species has a different song, and when they sing together, an orchestra of praise dances on the breeze. Sometimes in the darkness just before dawn, when the air is still, a bird sings a solo, reminding me that even when alone, I can praise God.

Waves

Waves pounding the sand repeatedly, yet each one in a different time signature. Crash, rumble, and then a gentle swish as the ocean retrieves it to the depths. And again, and again. You can’t hold a wave, you can’t cherish one over the other. You can watch it, and you can hear it, but it belongs to the sea and only comes on land for a moment. The sound calms my heart and I relax. When I hear a wave, I’m reminded of God’s mystery.

Rustles

A rustle in the tangled growth of the tropical jungle in which I hike. A snake? A shrew? A big sound may be a wild boar. Though I’ve never seen one yet, I see the evidence of where one has rooted up the damp soil at my feet. A rustle high up in the trees could be a dusky langur, a macaque, or a Malayan giant squirrel. Whatever it is, it is something created by God, because in the jungle, I’m surrounded only by His creation, which is remarkable. And the sound I hear is created by one of His creatures. I am in awe of His creativity.

Rain

Rain. A million drops, each sounding its own distinct tap in a giant steady chorus. Clouds and ground collide in an earth-soaked standing ovation to the One who satiates the thirsty soil. Steady, steady, heavy, heavy, light, light, then silent. Until it comes again for a few minutes, or hours, or a full night of applause, punctuated by a crack and a mighty thunder to remind me that the One Who is mighty to terrify is also sweet to satisfy.

Choosing to Listen

Other sounds thump against my eardrums too…but today I choose to think on the sounds that highlight the thankfulness I’m leaning toward, as we head into November.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thes. 5:18

What About You?

What sounds make you thankful?