Who Has Seen the Wind?

On the first page of one of the books I had as a child was the poem "Who Has Seen the Wind" by Christina Rossetti. The past few days it has been very easy to see the wind. Flags are flying straight out, hair is being thrust out of place and tossed across one's face, the trees are bending and leaning in response to the wind. The good news is that the winds have helped keep our 90+ degree temperatures a bit milder than stagnant, humid summer air. It has been going on for several days now and I keep wondering where all the wind is coming from. How can the winds be that strong, yet continue to be in our area instead of moving to other parts of the country? Some of my favorite memories are being on sailboats with the wind lifting the sails and the rush of the wind on my face. We saw a tree in Colorado that had been twisted artistically by the strength of the wind, which only makes me a greater admirer of the wind. I know the news broadcasts hope to intimidate the public when they show reporters bracing the hurricane winds and rain, but instead I am checking myself to keep from driving down and standing next to them! A couple of movies come to mind when I think about the wind. One is watching Lt. Dan facing the hurricane in "Forrest Gump." After challenging God to bring on the worst during a storm, Lt. Dan is humbled and changed. During the movie "Phenomenon" Lace is rocking on the porch, and it joins the earth's rhythm of the trees rocking in the breeze, and her own heartbeat. Who has seen the wind?

My prayer for the congregation?

Holy Spirit, you are compared to the rush of a mighty wind. We try to find words that express your power and we are left using words that describe another unseen force that can be seen through the elements with which it comes into contact. We pray that your power can be witnessed through our lives, both the gentle daily rhythms of grace and the bold occasions of humbling mercy. We are shaped as we yield to your constant presence. May our congregation be a force of enduring love. Our winds will subside, but the Spirit is eternal. Thanks be to God, Amen

Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you:
But when the leaves hang trembling
The wind is passing thro'.

Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I:
But when the trees bow down their heads
The wind is passing by.
- Christina Rossetti