Wind Chimes

As I sat outside saying my morning prayer recently, I couldn't help but stop and just look and listen to the world around me.

The sun was shining in a bright blue sky and there was a light breeze blowing through the trees.  I gradually became aware of the sound of the wind chimes playing softly in the background.  Sometimes there was only a single note that seemed to hover in the air, and other times there were several notes harmonizing with each other.

This set of wind chimes has been hanging outside our house for nearly 25 years and I've never tired of hearing it.  The metal pipes are tuned to each other so that it truly plays music when the wooden clapper strikes them. 

After all this time, it's not particularly lovely to look at, but I think its music has grown more melodic through the years.  I began to think of the many kinds of wind chimes - some are beautiful, some are noisy, and some are seasoned. 

The beautiful wind chimes hang inside.  More like objects of art, they are protected from the breeze, and away from the whims of nature. 

The noisy wind chimes hang outside, but their sound can be more like noise - their pieces of clanging metal or clinking glass competing with each other for attention.

The seasoned wind chimes hang outside and are open to the breeze.  They aren't particularly beautiful, but their pipes are tuned to each other and provide a gentle melody. 


My reflection led me to ask the question, "What kind of wind chime am I?"


Am I the beautiful wind chime; content with the safety of the familiar, and unwilling to discover my own song?


Am I the noisy wind chime, forgetting to invite your Spirit into my life to bring balance - focused only on "getting things done" at any cost?


Am I the seasoned wind chime, open to the movement of your Spirit; accepting the risks, willing to discover and share my unique song and presenting a melody that plays out in times of gentle movement or moments of conflict? 


Prayer:
Good and gracious God, may I be open to your Spirit moving through my life; calling forth my song, and providing a gentle reminder of your Presence.