Where the wind blows

A few months ago, I came across the books of author, Kent Nerburn.  He writes about spirituality and is particularly recognized for his works on Native American wisdom. What initially peaked my curiosity is that he lives in Bemidji, Minnesota, the town where I grew up.  Although we have never met, I imagined a kindred spirit with an appreciation of the north woods and Christianity.   This week, I picked up one of his books at the library and wasn’t disappointed.  

The Hidden Beauty of Everyday Life is one of those books that can be a quick read in one sitting or can be savored by reflection one short chapter at a time.  With the eye of an artist and a poet’s soul, Nerburn takes moments in everyday life and frames them as testimonies to the sacred.  In the prologue, he tells a story about a windy day and relates it to Jesus’ words to Nicodemus in the Gospel of John. “The wind blows wherever it pleases.  You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.  So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8)  In stories of ordinary experiences, Nerburn encourages us to keep our hearts open to the winds of God’s whispers in our lives.  “It is not important that we know from whence they come or to where they are going, or even if we give them a name.  All we need to know is that the moments of love, of caring, of the unprotected human heart, whenever we encounter them, are the voice of the spirit, blowing like the wind through our everyday lives.  Our task in life is to hear that voice, and to make of each day a prayer that bears witness to its presence.” (pg. 18)

The wind is blowing here today.  I hope it is for you, too.