Listening for God in GTMO

Just outside of Libby, Montana, going west with the setting sun, are the beautiful Kootenai Falls.  They are different everyday, in part because Libby Dam controls the flow of water. Regardless, they are magnificent.  They are a source of spiritual inspiration to many.  The falls have a special significance to the Kootenai Indians of this region.  As I understand the significance, it is at the falls where one will hear the Great Spirit. I have sat at the edge of the falls listening, praying, and hoping for divine guidance.  I love the falls and the mountains of Northwest Montana and feel God’s presence there.  He is there I can feel him, but he had been somewhat silent for me. I have not learned how to listen properly.  The falls are loud, and his voice is quiet, but persistent.  So I am told. Today, Annie and I went to the beach here in GTMO.  The beaches here are not like the beaches of Hawaii or South Florida, but I find them amazing.  They are small and rocky.  They are unspoiled by the trappings of the tourist industry.  In that way, GTMO reminds me a lot of NW Montana.  It is simple.  The beauty of GTMO and NW Montana is that neither has been overly corrupted or redefined by the world’s standard for perfectionism in beauty. GTMO beaches are raw.  Today we shared the beach with four other humans and a couple of Iguanas.  The surf was calm.  Snorkeling was easy and relaxing.  The fish were unhurried as well.  The visibility was good.  This all makes up for the steep stairs that descend to the beach and the awkward last step from the crumbling cement with the rusty railings.  No it is not post card perfect. Today, after swimming, I sat in the sun. Annie was tanning at my side:  each of us in our own worlds of thought and relaxation.  I closed my eyes and listed to the surf gently hitting the shore. I thought back to earlier in the day when I was lost in thought at the checkout counter in the NEX.  My favorite cashier was helping me.  He is the Jamaican man with the warm smile and peaceful air.  When he is asked the routine, “How are you today?”  He answers, “We are richly blessed and highly favored.”  Oh how my soul needs to hear those words. Since I was lost in thought, he had to get my attention.  I apologized and said I was thinking of the week ahead.  He wisely counseled me in the checkout line to not worry about tomorrow.  “Tomorrow will take care of itself.”  He reiterated his point a second time.  “You don’t need to worry today.  Tomorrow you can take care of it.” And I realized there, sitting on the beach, listening to the waves that if I listen carefully, I hear the voice of God all the time in those around me.  He is at the falls.  He is at the beach.  And, he is in the checkout line of the NEX. But in my haste and worry and need to control this world of mine, I forget to listen.  I am not sure I “heard” him in the NEX.  It took time to reflect, to realize who I was hearing. At that moment on the beach I heard the small, quiet voice of God telling me that it is ok.  It is ok to take this time to heal my heart and my soul.  He is giving me this time to heal.  He reassured me that I don’t have to hurry through it.  Whatever is on the other side of this process will be there.  Listening to the waves is part of my healing, and he told me… it is ok.