This giant Maple is one of many shady spots at our house.


They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze . . . Genesis 3

It’s hot,
humid, and I’m sweating just sitting in the evening shade.  Crisscrossed in the green grass, my head is
bent over scissors and my hands move swift, precise, cutting out letters for a
piece of word-art.  It’s been a long,
hot, day.  Air settles across the world
like silt sinks to the bottom of a bowl of water. 

Every few
minutes, though, there’s a breeze.  The
trees lift their leaf-hands, saluting the air as it snaps and spreads like
someone shaking the wrinkles out of a crisp, white sheet. 

Across the
yard I see my neighbors working slowly in their yard. A retired couple, their vegetable garden and
flowers beds are immaculate.  They know when to work, I think to
myself, as they disappear around the side of their house in the early evening
cool.

These are
the moments that hide in summer time. 
Small slips of cool in the dewy morning and early evening – the liminal
spaces between high heat and the still, dark, night.  These are the ones I miss most often as I
press, push, and herd through each day. Children
swarm around me like insects circling a sweaty brow. The heat of the day rises and I feel myself
shutting down, retreating into a restless siesta while wide awake.  

The breeze,
though, is gift.  It is a gentle hand to
the brow, cool lips pressed to fevered flesh.  

There is something
of God in a breeze, in air stirred like a breath and I’m learning to 
position myself in its pathway.  Beside the
open window, under the leafy tree, you might find me.  Hoping, waiting, to catch the breath of God
like a firefly in my hand, some small bright light to grace me through another day.
       

*   *   *

Welcome to the #SmallWonder link-up.

What if we chose to deliberately look for the small moments of wonder, the small sparks of presence, of delight or sorrow, of true humanity in which we meet God? 

That’s my proposal – that we gather here each week to share one moment of Wonder from each of our days.  

You’re invited to link-up a brief post about a small moment of wonder.  Don’t worry if your post is too long, too short, or not just right – you’re welcome to come as you are.  

While you’re here, please do take a look around and encourage at least one other blogger with a comment.      

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