The sound of noises in our modern world usually irritates us. We tune out some of them, but others step on our last nerve and rub us the wrong way, causing annoyance and even stress and emotional wounds sometimes. I try to find a positive focus about these interruptions in the normally peaceful existence of our tiny village.
One of the main notes in our cacophony of sounds is our daily train schedule. We hear the roar of the metal wheels on the tracks for miles before each train comes through our village. This sounds like a tornado; and at times, it is hard to tell if the noise is a train or a tornado, which we have at certain times of the year.
Eventually, the engine on the train reaches the crossroads of the train tracks and our intersecting roads in town. This is when the train’s horn breaks the silence in multiple screams, both day and night, to warn on-coming cars of its approach.
Shortly after moving here, I changed my focus to realizing that each train barreling down our tracks is announcing that life goes on normally. I feel peaceful that our economy is on track as well, and that goods and services and businesses are functioning routinely with each train that runs through our woods and fields.
The next noise that cuts through the peaceful atmosphere of our existence is the usual Tuesday morning test of the tornado siren. They otherwise use the siren to warn residents that a live tornado is invading our area, so that we can get prepared.
This is very unnerving, but it causes us to grab our important papers and reserve cash, and join our friends, family and neighbors in our church basement, which is located a half block from our home. We get to see people that are normally as busy as we are; and we have the time to chat, meet the new babies and furry critters, and pray for the safety of our town.
The next culprit to challenge the serenity of our existence are the delivery trucks that transport anticipated parcels from personal mail, or mail-order businesses. The trucks’ heavy rumbling down our streets and the squeal of the brakes in front of our home, prompt our quick sprint to our front door to welcome the expected boxes.
Then, we have the intermittent hammering and sawing caused by one of our industrious neighbors who are updating or repairing their home. This too is a comforting sound because it shows that these families care about their property enough to improve it, and they have the financial means to make these changes. We are so blessed to live in our little neighborhood filled with nature and good friends.
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for helping us to focus on the positive about each interruption of the golden silence that we come to expect in our life. Thank You that life goes on in positive ways, and also for Your protection of us during plagues that bring fire and EMS sirens, and tornado warnings.
We look to You as our Great Provider, Shelter, Comforter and Support in all of our needs - even when our sleep is interrupted at odd hours of the night, or our schedule for our day is challenged by the unexpected symphony of cacophony that pops up when we least expect it. We trust You with our whole heart, and we know that nothing in this life can separate us from Your love for us (Romans 8:35-39).
Thought for the Day:
My personal favorite interrupter of our peaceful existence in our little village is the sound of our cats playing with the variety of cat toys strewn all over the floor of our house: balls bouncing off walls, bells ringing as they bat toys down the hall, catnip toys crinkling as they pounce on them, lapping from the diminishing water in their bowl, as well as the crunching of their dry food as they nibble a meal; these are all familiar sounds that bring smiles to our lips.
