Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Dearest God,

One thing I know for sure!  You are the god of surprises!  Today on the island we came across a teeny farmer's market on the tiny church green.  Bouquets of flowers, summer squash, peppers, lettuce, eggplant, carrots, and onions lay on makeshift tables.  Residents and visitors alike spoke with gardeners while a young violinist played heavenly music.  People hugged and laughed, welcoming one another.  It was if we were all old family friends.

While I was paying for my purchases, a permanent visitor took my money and talked with me about the community event to take place tonight.  Sharing our love for the island and the community, he invited our small group to join them at the church.  After an early dinner we walked down the rocky hill to get a seat. By the time the jamboree started, the very small church was completely full, twenty or so children were sitting on the floor in the front of the first pew, and people stood in the aisles on both sides and the back.

The next two and a half hours were an amazing display of spirit, talent, camaraderie, hospitality, love, and joy! Lighted by gas lanterns, the space quickly heated up to the point of being stifling; however, neither the performers nor the audience grumbled.  It was a community event and highly regarded.  People just wiped the sweat but never stopped smiling.  We listened to piano concertos, banjo singing, poetry reading, child's game song, numerous violins, guitars, recorders, auto harp, even a 72-year-old male opera singer plus some community singing.  I can't begin to name all the players and their extraordinary gifts, residents and visitors of the island who simply wanted to gift the rest of us.  And the reception of those gifts amazed as they wildly cheered for every performer.

As we made our way home late without a flashlight in the misty fog, we celebrated the countless blessings you have given us on the island, another example of unexpected mystical wonder!

Who can question
the gifts
of your spirit?
Who can deny
the gift
of your grace
around each turn
in life?
You come
again and again
surprising us
not because
we have
done anything
to deserve it
but rather
just to surprise.
As we shared
in the
picturesque living room
of our cottage,
our hearts
and spirits
were full...
...once again.
Thank you,
Wondrous God.

Sending much love and thanks your way, Andrea