even in the rain

today
throwing open
my window wide to the sky
cacophonous rain
thrumming
on the roof
creating such a din
deluging
the canopy of green
pavements shimmering
lights reflecting golden
on streets


a world on pause


because most
harboring safely inside


a midsummer's day full
of unexpected
in the wet and the chilly
the muted grays


like summer got angry
and throwing a fit


and life's like that


sometimes


things changing


uncomfortably
unexpectedly
and there is much lament over
what is and isn't
and the not yet


but today from a window

in watching the downpour
obliterate the sky 
and pound merciless for hours
gaining perspective
to slow
to ponder
and to see


a holy God


filling the earth with goodness


even in the midst of broken
plans going awry
lives crumbling into small pieces
disappointment showing up
seemingly capricious
and stunning


finding only God capable


of redemption


we are not


and He astonishing with love
undeserved
knitting us back together
redeeming the brokenness
ensnaring our lives


beauty today
from a window


showing up raw
and reminding


on a midsummer morning


even in the rain

a place called ordinary

for sure they do

these neighbors of mine

talking

that is

I would too you know

and

wondering

what the dickens will be the color

this time

of all the doors

on a plain white house

in a neighborhood

full of ordinary

on a summer's day

cause you see

this girl

all full of notions

and romantic

imagining other worlds

and fancy places

and often

the getting carried away

with pots of paint

reminiscent of Easter eggs

lined up on a counter

so joyous this thing

a palette of color

and a canvas to fill

so today once again

it's a door smiling back

welcoming change

out in the early

while the breeze gentle

and the air cool

but thick with birdsong

cicadas screaming

a din really

summer turned up loud

reminding this but a season

soon to change once again

so with a paint pot

and a brush

coloring a page in my book

and all the while

this summertime morning

filling the senses

and me

breathing deep of glory

and transition

seeing it now as a friend

a thing of beauty

just like a door

in a place called ordinary

of fairy sprites and zephyrs

life on pause

again today

and in the early
gazing down
at the tundra
from a window high
marveling
at so much white
covering
like icing
thick on a cake

and then
zephyrs of snow
jumping high
swirling
like fairy sprites
escaping
if just for a moment
seemingly
laughing at us
and at the day
and the cold

but for me

no slopes to slalom
no skates to lace
just time

life on pause

and reveling in it
like a cat 
in winter sunshine

drinking in beauty
being at rest

routine shattered
in a million pieces
like icicles
when they fall

and for those
fortunate enough

today

an opportunity
to slow
in a world
making busy a trophy

hitting reset
jettisoning chores
responsibility
and the routine of daily
with hilarity

unflustered by it all

and in the wake
of this decision
the unloading of guilt

much-needed rest
and quiet even

to savor a new year

to reboot

because
owning our lives
getting perspective
part of the struggle

and time put on hold
in tandem with
an Abba Father
reminding

glory

always seeping through
all the cracks
of this broken world

beauty being unfolded
like an exquisite snow-covered morning

and a day 
on pause

reminding