Succumbing to too much lobster, along with too much fun, and Mary FNY's great hospitality, we fell asleep early at Mary FNY's the first night. And after travelling through the midwest and south in the midst of a heat wave, here by the beach we were able to sleep with window open, aided only by the ceiling fan, and our covers pulled up. AAAAH! And I had slept very soundly all night when I was awakened by voices. Now at home this would mean the dog was out at 3am, and Theresa was threatening her to come in. Or Andrew had fallen asleep with the TV on, or the party house was partying. But here the voices I heard sounded like they were coming from the next room. And they were. The next room in this case the house next door, about 10' away. So I rolled over while the neighbors had breakfast, and as they continued to talk in my sleep, safe in the knowledge that I could hear everything they were saying-wait a minute? That means they could also hear everything we were saying too! But what is said in the neighborhood stays in the neighborhood, long before Las Vegas made it a tag line, and no home owner association could ever enforce this common sense, neighborly relationship. And as this was probably a seasonal event, as winter would keep the windows closed, and only the silence because of the absence of AC in the background made the voices more pronounced. Good thing I didn't smell bacon, or I would have been right over.
And I wondered, when we met the neighbors, how much had Mary told them, or had they overheard from conversations? Big brother may be watching, the neighbors are always listening.
Now this being the Thursday before the 4th of July, in California the place would be overwhelmed. Three day weekends here start on Wednesday, and end the next Tuesday. Figuring travel and prep time for whatever you are going to do takes a full week. But it was very quiet, no extra traffic yet, and since we had last eaten before going to bed, off we went to eat breakfast at the Beach Diner. I can still taste the pork roll-fortunately not from indigestion. And then on to the Hamptons and Montauk Point-120 miles away. A great day was ahead of us.
Most of us don't talk in our sleep-fortunately. But we make up for it while awake. And being of the persuasion of sometimes only opening my mouth to change feet, I had felt like I was invading on someone's privacy while listening to the neighbors talking in my sleep. But I wasn't snooping, but still couldn't not listen. I think Elijah, when in the cave would be able to associate with this. While looking for God in the wind, and thunder-he was quite the drama king, God spoke in a still, small voice, so that Elijah could still hear Him despite the noise. A voice Elijah knew, a tender voice, familiar. The way the Holy Spirit still talks to us today. And like a shepherd talks to his sheep. Even though they are in pens with others, they know the shepherd's voice, and only his sheep will come when called. And for those of us who responded when the Spirit called us, we know that voice. It is sweet unto our ears, calming and providing security in times of need.
Yet we discount the fact that we can control our tongue, but not our ears. God doesn't waste words on us, but we do on others. Allowing us to fall away from Him, a wall built up between us of sin. But He hasn't left the relationship, we have, and He is there to welcome us back-open arms, not closed fists. To forgive and forget, and to carry on with us. Safe in the fact that He is there with us, and nothing can separate us from His love.
And that is why I fell back to sleep that morning. It was nice to hear signs of life, even that early, but the peace that God gives surpasses anything else-including trying to understand it. And a quick lesson to remember-you never know who is listening-but God always is.
And He loves us anyway! Need a miracle-here is a good one to start your day with. Despite what He knows about us, Jesus loves me! His window is always open for me to call on Him, and for Him to answer back. So next time you wonder is someone listening, don't look around, look up. Right into the face of a loving Father. He not only hears, but listens. And is always listening to us, and for us.
A lesson learned at Mary FNY's house. While asleep/awake with the windows open. Good things the blinds were closed!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com