You are here

Even Winter Storm Nemo is no match for the wow of God's love

NASA satellite photo of Winter Storm Nemo, February 8, 2013.

One of my first wows was being taken to my first major league ballpark – Wrigley Field in Chicago. I was six. My dad took me. Everything about it was wow (and still is whenever I walk into a ballpark). I don’t remember what I said when I first walked in – if I said anything. “When we are stunned to the place beyond words, we’re finally starting to get somewhere.” (Page 73, Help Thanks Wow.)

Anne Lamott connects the wow to love – God’s love. And there is an incredible array of demonstrations of that love. Even when we can’t see past our own grief or despair: “But against all odds, something emerges from the wreckage in our hearts, so we can bear witness: collect donations for the families, or the town where the fire broke out; to childhoods destroyed by charming tyrants; to miners trapped two thousand feet down.

“Love falls to earth, rises from the ground, pools around the afflicted. Love pulls people back to their feet. Bodies and souls are fed. Bones and lives heal. New blades of grass grow from charred soil. The sun rises.” (Page 81.)

Winter Storm Nemo has held our lives and psyches hostage for the past twenty four hours. But even in all its fury, it is no match for the wow of love.

I will remember that as we dig out.

Add new comment

Our comment policy requires that you use your real first and last names and provide an email address (your email will not be published). The Communications Office of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark reserves the right not to publish comments that are posted anonymously or that we deem do not foster respectful dialogue.