Overflowing

In the morning rain I headed out to join some fellow hikers. Deep into the forest we went where the rain sporadically touched my face. The most significant part of the hike was the number of paths that were filled with water, making them into streams. The normal streams were rivers overflowing from the abundance of rainfall this month. Instead of water that whispered as it meandered to the sea it was streams that shouted their significance as they raced to the open water and freedom. The spray from their exuberant race bathed my face in moisture as I stood in wonder observing the raging water. Overflowing grace that is eager to reach the ocean where it goes beyond what I can see or envision. Add to that the fragrance of the forest and the evolution of life and death in that setting with the fragrance each offers.

In the evening friends joined me at my table for dinner. We started with thanks. Conversation meandered into serious, into laughter, into hopes and into holding others in the Light who are in pain. Each of these people have seen the best and the worst of who I am. Yet they have been flesh and blood to Jesus overflowing grace. The fragrance of the various dishes lingered in my house and each of us felt satisfied having consumed this repast. The menu was posted in What’s Cooking, the previous post. The textures, flavours, colours and scents melded together as did our conversations. We finished by each speaking to Abba of gratitude.

Then there are times when in solitude we must look at the ashes of our lives. Over that scent of fire Grace pours the fragrance of the rose. Life comes out of these exchanges. Life comes with overflowing grace and fragrance, whether in the rain, in the safe places of community or in the ashes.

As I walked this morning on “my bit of beach” heavily laden streams shouted out that there would always be a way to the open ocean of grace and freedom. In the scent of the rain I inhaled each fragrance and each reminder of overflowing grace.

It has been an amazing weekend overflowing with what only Ruach (wind and Spirit of life) could have choreographed.