Wonder Thermostat

Do we flee silence and/total solitude? In silence is where our hearing becomes acute. The idea for this came when attending a Christmas musical performance with my mother at a local High school.

Wonder Thermostat

Wonder thermostat, is it set? Awe regulator, is it activated? Do we still dream? Children know how to do all these things effortlessly.

Twinkling stars send their message. Deep blue expanse above calls our name, matched in the green and azure fathoms of seas spread below. 

 Are we listening? Are we paying attention?

 Sitting in a musical auditorium listening to high school students sing from their young strength and passion. Do we allow our imagination and emotion to become one with them? Eyes closed; do our souls fly in twirling dance above our heads in joy?

Over the years has our passion melted away like steam from a tea kettle, our wonder and awe been replaced by proper behavior and rigid performance?

When did this happen?

Gradually it can come creeping with age, every meter of a sun dial’s shadow: from warm belief and hopeful reality to muddy stagnation.

We must guard our precious hearts.

Healing and wholeness comes within reality of silence. Within total silence of a quiet place of introspection,

 do we run in fear?

 Yet, here is where our hearing becomes acute and truth within our souls is faced. Vague stagnation can come on so gradually. Shadow grayness can blur our vision

- Our precious heart’s vision.

Look to the silence, alone with our souls-alone with God; just to be,

 listening to the living Spirit.

His still small voice will teach if we listen.

Scripture from New King James bible;  1 kings 19: 11- 12.

“11. Go and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord who is about to pass by. Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12. After the earthquake, a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper."

Oh, Holy God you speak in the inner silence; the living reality of our being. We are not unknown or a mystery to you, for you long to love us openly.

  We can lay bare, our precious souls before you and find rest from the chaos which pulls and prods our lives.and know you simply want us for your own.

 This is true peace.

  Oh Lord Jesus, Savior and Messiah, of the world.

Author's Note

I suppose this is more like an essay then what I'd thought of then a prose style poem. Pointed out by a reviewer and thank you for doing so. The settings for some reason this time had me a little befuddled. Thanks much

Reviews

[Shep]

Al writing some ways or another is poetry itself if you truly want to break down to its nuts and bolts. either way, it still an impress write. as you discuss the youth life youth and music of the young and the fear the face as they grow older. Time moves on for all of us as explained very well in this essay. Nicely done

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Shep,
I appreciate your thoughtful insight above. What I really think is refreshing is how differently every person sees things-interprets. We all have a voice somehow. It is wonderful that you came back to this one as well.
Blessings this cold day, (at least here)
Kathy

[Jennie Baron]

This is as lovely and profound as all the other reviewers have said. It's less like a poem than an essay, one of those you read thinking that every word rings true. We start out with such vivid imaginations as children, but somewhere along the line we forget how to listen to that "sound of sheer silence."

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Jennie Baron,
Thanks so much for reading this and giving such a helpful review. You are right it is an essay. I had posted it once already and ended up fooling around with stuff on here and deleted it and one other thing I wrote plus two wonderful reviews. Didn't mean to ...really bummed......Anyway I like your take about the youth-children. We can take great lessons from them in just living in the moment with "vivid imaginations" as you have said. I love your other at the end of review; "sound of sheer silence." appreciate your kind comments........Bless you Kathy

[Jennie Baron]

As you may recall, the prophet Elijah met God not in the wind, earthquake or fire, but in the "sound of sheer silence."

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Jennie Baron,
You know as i have thought about it, the feeling of context, (quiet or silence) is the inner reality brought about by the living voice of God in the place of the heart. I know for myself that quiet is so paramount to my hearing, feeling, being led or receiving a stirring of my heart thoughts from God's spirit. For Elijah he was given the recognition that God wants to meet alone with him. The big, loud, extraneous things of this world; like the (earthquake, winds or fire- really great forces of nature in the prophet's day) can distract us from God's voice Sometimes we just need to be quiet and wait on the Lord, as the saying goes. Anyway I love hearing your wonderful insights. Thank you so much!..........Kathy

[Linda alexander]

A way different approach to validate the significance of simplicity, silence, peace, majesty without chaos and worldly exuberances. Really liked how the message unfolded, great job.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Significance. That is a word of real meaning to our hearts as people I think. I like how you have listed out what is meaningful to you. I understand where your coming from on that; "simplicity, silence, peace, majesty." And yes I don't need chaos and (worldly exuberance.)Cool phrase, had not thought of it...............Bless you much..............Kathy

[andrew mitchell]

A profound write like dinner is served now dig into this pondering dish of thoughts but do it quietly!

[Kathy Van Kurin]

You know it is nice and a very interesting thing to see how another will take something written. I love to read you comments and then just think; Hmmmm....that is something i'd not thought of.."pondering dish of thoughts but do it quietly."
Its also nice to hear the word profound. Wow, you something I must be blind to. I am encouraged more than I can say...........Thanks much Andrew mitchell......................Kathy

[.]

A lovely piece of philosophical writing.

In all your works your faith is strongly evident and this poem is no different. Even for those who have no deep faith your words about listening to the silence hold a strong resonance.
Age does wither the wonders for life we held so freely as children. The daily reality of modern living leads us to these moments of stagnation you refer to. So, i agree with you that we need these moments of silence to look within and rediscover ourselves and our beliefs and then use this new understanding to look back into the world with a new sense of wonder.

A profound piece of writing that is relevant to all of us, regardless of faith or religious inclination. Nicely done.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Doodley,
What a nice review here! Your focus upon this being philosophical is so interesting to me. Can we learn to just accept ourselves and others just as who and what we are right now? I like it when another gets something another has written with maybe the tiniest difference. Although your take on this one here I've done is pretty right on. All I can say is just thanks for being so nice...............Blessings. Kathy

[Sami Khalil]

Food for thought. Your faith is leading you to questions and visions. The truth is within each and every one. Reality is living in the now and knowing how. This is wonderful coming from your mighty pen. Thank you for sharing...:)...........

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Thanks Sami,
Your intelligent and sensitive reviews are always a joy to read. I just want you to know that your voice is very strong in your caring connection as a writer and as a fellow human being........Bless you bunches!................Kathy

[Sami Khalil]

Many welcomes and appreciations....:::)))

[Ted Kniffen]

Very well done, Kathy. The sentiment is crack on. Sometimes we search for God not realizing he is within us if we open our hearts. Blessings for the day
my friend.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Ted Kniffen,
Thank you for giving such affirmation regarding my feelings and thoughts. It is so precious when I see people representing themselves as individuals who simply are kind. A little kindness goes a very long way with me...............Bless you so. kathy