Listen even if you don't understand

Listen to the word that God has spoken; 
listen to the One who is close at hand; 
listen to the voice that began creation; 
listen even if you don't understand.

​                                                                                                                                               Spiritual Practice

     Listen even if you don’t understand.

     Have you had any “ah ha”’s during these past Lenten days? Have you had moments when time seemed to slow down or maybe even stop -just for a second? Have you seen something so incredibly beautiful that everything else seemed to fall away – if just for a second? Have you heard something in a song or a conversation or during a sacred-get-together that touched your spirit? Have you?

     This Lenten time has brought quite a few for me and I am so grateful. I’ve heard both the boys sing with their hearts wide-open. I’ve sung wide-open a couple of times myself and that was oh, so fine. There have been walks with Linda when we didn’t talk much and said everything. I’ve had connections with family and friends that have reminded me of my visions and roots – both. This has been a good and holy, healing Lent for me in many ways.

      Perhaps one of the most amazing moments has been singing of this song (above) on Sunday mornings at NDPC. We sing it before the scripture readings that lead into the Children’s time. There hasn’t been a Sunday yet when I haven’t cried. Maybe I cry because it's haunting and beautiful. Maybe I cry because my heart rests in the invitation and the knowing of me so well: “listen even if you don’t understand.”

     Permission. Understanding. Promise.  Listen even if you don’t understand. These words recognize that things don’t always fit. Pain companions us our whole lives. Always has, always will. Life is messy and complicated and dead ends appear just at seemingly the worst possible times. All these things are true. How easy it would be to curl up in the tightest ball possible and pull the blankets over my head. But/and this song invites possibility, hope. It recognizes and comforts. It speaks of strength and wisdom, of history and future. 

​     Listening speaks to relationship. It speaks to connections. Listening speaks to being with someone in intimate and affirming ways. The song doesn’t offer “advice” or “fix” or “lecture” or even “reconciliation.” It just says “Listen.” Perhaps the most precious present for another when there is really nothing else you can give and still, it means everything. 

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