Mary and I aren’t big on middle of the night interruptions. An inadvertent car alarm, a barking dog, quarreling neighbors, a cat fight, an unmuffled automobile, a racing Harley and a host of other interruptions would at the very least be an annoyance.
That’s why an audible middle of the night intrusion that is a welcome wake up is very unusual, and probably worth exploring. In the middle of last fall we discovered a family of owls roosting in several Ponderosa pine trees close to our house. Our evening routine included a walk into this area to simply watch the beautiful birds as they perched, nearly invisible in the dusk of the evening and with almost imperceptible movement. But we knew where to look, and Mary knew best how to locate them, and so we observed and reveled in the beauty.
Within a couple of weeks of this discovery we began to be awakened by the intermittent hooting of this owl family. Sometimes the sound was vague and distant, sometimes it was literally next door. But every time, both then and now, it is welcome.
It’s a cello in the night sky. A soothing reminder of the Creator. A distinct and unmistakable whisper. A warm hand. A word of peace. The sound of comfort.
When slumber gives way, it is exchanged for what is good and right. There is no less rest, just companionship through the black of night, through the time of silence.
Every time, at whatever moment, Mary celebrates – even as she has taught me to do the same.
And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. ~ I Kings 19:11-12 (ESV)
The Holy Spirit most often will not scream over the mayhem. Instead, his voice breaks through the darkness in whispered tones, with comfort, with conviction, with hope and victory. A hoot. With mellow warmth and powerful clarity. Distinct. Rich. A cello. An owl.
The voice that speaks loudest may in fact be the quietest. Listen carefully. Welcome the interruption.
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