Not long after my Dad passed away, around his birthday my mother-in-law gave me the gift of a set of wind chimes. I’d never owned a set of wind chimes, so I was excited to have a set to put out and enjoy their sweet sounds. And my, how sweet those chimes sound.
Not only are those wind chimes a joyful sound to my ears, but a sweet sound to my heart. Whenever I hear them sing, I am reminded of my Dad. I feel his presence. And I am comforted.
Which made me start thinking.
What (or who) makes those wind chimes play?
We can’t see the wind, but we can sure feel it. Sometimes it’s strong, sometimes gentle. It’s refreshing on a warm day, biting on a cold one. We can hear it. Sometimes it cries and howls, sometimes it whispers.
We don’t have to see it to know it’s there.
The same goes for God. Just because we can’t see Him, we can feel His presence and trust that He’s there. Sometimes when things don’t go our way, we may feel as though He’s being harsh or too strong with us…even though He’s not. When we’re sad or lonely, He’s gentle. When we’re happy and joyful, He’s refreshing to our souls.
Not only do I feel God’s presence in the wind, I feel my Dad with me as well.
I hear those chimes and memories of my Dad come flooding back to me. I miss him so much, but hearing the sweet notes coming from the wind chime remind me that even though he’s not physically with me anymore, he’s still here comforting me through the power of the wind. It’s as if he’s saying, “You can’t see me anymore, but you can still feel my love. I’m with you.”
This week I’ve been dog sitting my Mom’s two dogs, Max & Millie.
My Dad LOVED those pups.
They were comforting to him and brought him so much happiness.
But the craziest thing happened the other night when I let them outside.
It was pretty late and very quiet outside. It was calm and the wind was not stirring, yet when Max and Millie got near the wind chimes, they gently started singing. And immediately I knew Dad was there. He was with us.
And I felt peace and was comforted.
Thank you God for the gift of the wind. May your sweet Spirit continue to bring me peace and joy through your mighty power.
“The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” ~John 3:8