Picture This

There are snapshots in time that move our emotions to a point of wanting to freeze the moment so we can look at it longer. Those of us old enough, remember when those were referred to as ‘Kodak Moments’. This morning I am having one long Kodak Moment.

I’ve spoken about how much we love the view from our front deck. This morning it is breathtaking; I can see it from my desk and am distracted to the point of not being able to work. So I will write about it.

We had a storm roll in overnight and the sky is still heavy with clouds. It’s not raining for now so I ventured outside to get a closer look. As you step out the door you are greeted by the wind. It’s stronger than a breeze; steady cool wind coming from the southeast. An American and Texas flag are waving in unison on the porch columns of the house across the street. From my higher point of view, the palm tree behind that house sways a little though it looks like a soldier standing at attention behind the flags. With the variation of greens of the trees in the valley behind it, the grays and blues of the skyline and overhead, the colors of the flags stand out proudly.

Though not flying about as usual, birds of many species are singing out a morning song. A rooster somewhere in our ‘village’ joins in, though not in harmony! Two houses over an old cottonwood tree stands like s sentry in the front yard. It is taller than any tree near it so you can clearly see how the leaves are turning colors as they dry out. I love this tree because I enjoy the particular sound its leaves make rustling in the wind. My house sits on a hill; this one does not, so the top of the tree is at eye level. The wind is blowing all the leaves in all the trees but this one has the advantage of the large dry leaves to be heard above the rest.

I heard an aircraft overhead high above all the clouds. It served as a reminder that even though we have storms around us, life goes on. In the valley across from me the slow and low rumbling of a train makes itself known. Before long I can see glimpses of it through the trees. We are in the country so there is no need for whistles, just the low rumbling. It moves on and is gone as quickly as it came.

The clouds are the real showstopper. From the deepest blue-gray across the tops of the distant hills to a wide band of blue-gray that reflects just enough light to allow the blue to be more dominant. Next, the layer of flat bottomed white clouds shooting high into the sky with their marshmallow looking selves. As you turn more to the west, the white clouds are less dense, less high. Above them all is a blanket of thin wispy clouds in shades from white to smoky gray to patches of more serious looking gray. As they move across the sky an occasional clear patch can be seen and through it, the sun shines. It makes changing patterns of light as they march on to the northwest. The sun’s rays that do get through the clouds dance on the tops of tress. Some, brilliant chartreuse in color, look alive in the light and dance in the wind.

The scene has changed a great deal since I sat to write this. Darkness fell and large drops of rain began to hit the glass door. Thunder rolled overhead as the clouds released the rain again. It fell hard against the wooden deck and roof. I love that sound.

Now, there is a stillness that has enveloped everything. The only sound I hear is that of the keys clicking on my keyboard. No rain, no thunder, no birds, no train or plane, just an engulfing quietness as a foil against the clicking keys.

Watching the majesty of a storm move across the sky is rather like a peek at the power and strength that is God. They excite with their creative beauty yet you realize that you have no control, you are not in charge. The seer power and energy of lightening cutting through the darkness is glorious to behold. I can’t even imagine what the view will be like in heaven but I know it will be awesome and I look forward to it. For now, I will enjoy the blessing God has given us. A silent gentle rain moves in as the next act of the show!