We continue to collect offering for Week of Compassion for Oklahoma, Kansas and

Tennessee. The collection basket is located in the chapel. Thank you for your gifts to help

the victims of flooding and tornados.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

SONDRA’S SHARINGS...

 

Do you know what a metronome is? If you have taken piano lessons or had other musical experience – you may be familiar with a  metronome. A metronome, according to Wikipedia is: a device that produces regular, metrical ticks (beats). These ticks represent a fixed, regular aural pulse; some metronomes also include synchronized visual motion (e.g. pendulum swing). The metronome dates back to the early 19^th Century. A metronome is used by some musicians for practice in maintaining a consistent tempo or rubato around a fixed beat.”

            My piano teacher always used a metronome with us as we learned to play the piano. But I hadn’t seen or heard a metronome in years until just recently. I had the privilege of hearing a band called “The Greencards” play at a recent Bluegrass Festival. They are a very creative band and for one of their songs the female vocalist sang along to a modern electronic metronome that she held up to the microphone for all to hear the steady beat. And besides the tinkling of some light mandolin notes – it was just her and the steady tick of the metronome. A beat that was energizing as well as comforting; that brought all to attention as well as brought a steady feel to the gathering.

            It reminded me of the steady beat of life. It reminded me of the steady beat we may hope or long for – but is often allusive. We desire a rhythm for our lives like in the seasons. But it can often be thrown off when there is:

• a massive oil spill that devastates our waters
• when natures fury destroys communities by tornados, hurricanes, flooding, etc.
• when relationships end
• when life circumstances overwhelm
• when change is too difficult to handle
• when health concerns change the life we have known and what we are able to do

            Life is not always like a steady beat – not always smooth and rhythmic. There are times when there is no beat; when the beat is rapid or out of sinc; when the beat is faint and hard to hear. And when this occurs we can feel anxious, hopeless, fearful. But in the midst of these emotions we can remember a stronger beat that is always present. For underneath it all – there is a rhythm held by a larger spirit – the one who creates us all. Who keeps the seasons, who holds the beat; who is the pulse of the journey, no matter where our journeys go or how they move.

            So in the times when we feel the rhythm is off or we can no longer move to the beat – let us remember to call on God once more – to reconnect to the rhythm of creation and the faith in which we move and breath and have our being.

 

For the beat does go on....

 

Peace, Pastor Sondra