A note from Pastor Travis 4/27/23

To say that my grandmother lives in the country is an understatement.

She lives several miles outside of a town of 400 people. The road to her house is in the woods, and most of the 10 acres she lives on is wooded. Across the two-lane road from her house is woods owned by my cousin.

Down the road, through the woods is a house owned by another cousin. The rest of the woods that surround her house are part of the Homochitto National Forest, which is 191,839 acres. As a boy, I spent a lot of time in those woods, running through creeks and climbing trees.

A short way down the road from my grandmother’s house is a dirt road that runs for 2 miles in the National Forrest. It is well maintained, but I don’t know its purpose. It doesn’t lead anywhere. but stops abruptly in the middle of the forest. There are no buildings or structures near it, and there is no gate blocking it off. We call it “government road,” though I think that is more likely a political commentary from my grandparents than its actual name.

While visiting my grandmother on my recent vacation, my mother, my cousin, my wife, and I decided to walk the 4-mile round trip of government road after lunch. It was a pleasant walk. I was enjoying looking at the trees and reminiscing with my cousin, when suddenly, my mother stopped abruptly.

She turned to us and said, “This is where I always pause to listen to the wind.” She then closed her eyes. Following her lead, we closed our eyes too. We could hear the wind blowing the tree limbs and hear the rustle of the leaves. The wind seemed to make a soft “whooshing” sound at that particular spot as it went through the trees. We stood there for several minutes listening. It was magnificent.

I have walked that road more times than I can remember, but I had never stopped to listen to the wind. It is amazing the wonders and blessings that we miss because we don’t take the time to stop and be present to the moment.

Today, I invite you to consider the places in your life where you can slow down and be more fully present to the blessings that God offers. There are blessings waiting for us to discover.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Travis