Equilibrium

In the air is the smell of spring. Even though the thermometer stubbornly refuses to arise, the sun bakes the smell of the earth and, like bread in the oven, the aroma wafts up from the ground to encourage our hungry souls.

I walked to work this morning full of whistles and springs in my step. Today, for me, is a great day to be breathing some of the oxygen on this planet. As I turned the corner from my home street to the larger street, I noticed a police officer in front of a house. Two pick-up trucks had narrowly avoided each other but one couldn't shirk the oak tree on the side of the road; the other truck pulled up lame with a broken axle after hitting the curb too hard. The frustration from both drivers was palpable - glaring and staring ensued. The irony, I think, was that they work for the same roofing company. I guess they were a little out of sorts this morning?

What held my interest aside from the accident, though, was the man standing beside the freshly dilapidated pickups. Auto accidents often draw crowds but this older gentlemen was the only one viewing the events. It was his house that was being roofed and the fender bender occurred at the foot of his acorn throwing tree.

I had met this man before; often on my walks I will stop and chat with people in the neighborhood. I think it is refreshing for the soul to talk to new people, to hear new stories and to view life from a different street. I don't always remember names but I did remember his - Luigi. A longtime immigrant from (you guessed it) Italy, Luigi lived right on the corner and had seen his share of accidents.

"Morning, Luigi." I said and shook his hand.
He didn't remember my name but he remember who I was.
"Morning, Churchguy."
"Looks like you've had a little excitement this morning." Stating the obvious occurs most often in the mornings, I think.
Luigi smiled, took off his hat and responded, "Well," he replied with the singsong up and down inflection that only the Italian accent accentuates, "I guess the insurance companies will have a good time with this one. I can't believe - two boys from my roofing company."
I looked up at his house. "You need a new roof?" I truly am Captain Obvious.
"Yes." Inwardly he was rolling his eyes, I'm sure.
"Do you ever get up on the roof?"
"I used to," the seventy year old man said, "But I don't do it anymore. I've got problems with my ears, my equil... ebrilquiliem... equilebr... you know what I mean."
"Equilibrium," I filled in the blank.
"I lose my balance if I get to high. I've got to stay right here on the ground."

I could delve into the rest of the conversation, but Luigi got me thinking. Equilibrium - something wrong with our ears.

Sometimes our ears are filled with all sorts of things that keep the voice of God out. Our balance becomes distorted; we are then incapable of attaining great heights. When our ears are out of balance to hear God's voice, we stay rooted in one spot in order that we don't fall or fail. I am learning to open my ears to hear God's voice and let myself be balanced by the Holy Spirit so that I can attain new heights and allow God to lead me where he would. Fear of falling or failure becomes a distant memory.