Dear Human is a Verb Community-
Since the end of April, I have been traveling—Kansas City, MO; Spokane, WA; Redding, CA; Haverhill, MA; Saranac Lake, NY and Boston, MA. I’m so ready to be home for a while to establish a more grounded rhythm. And we just got a paddleboard, and the ocean in front of our home is calling!
Yesterday I got to sit on the paddleboard as the waves rolled under me. It felt like I was carried. It crossed my mind that I could practice this sense of being carried in other aspects of my life. I was captivated by the dancing sunlight on the water. What beauty. This morning a friend asked if I had made a song for Psalm 148 because she is facilitating a retreat and using some of the songs I’ve been creating. Thanks, Nancy!
Here are the lyrics based on Psalm 148. The Psalm is a joyful, embodied, and earthly praise in which all of creation honors God. All of creation claims dignity, strength, and justice together through naming the goodness of God. I’m really captivated by the idea in this Psalm that even chaos and uncertainty sing out to God.
I’ve added the song to the “podcast” so it can be easily listened to.
You can also find it on Spotify!
Even Chaos Knows Your Name
Some nights the future feels like fog, The road disappears from sight. I lie awake with all my questions In the middle of the night. But the moon climbs up above the harbor, The tide comes dancing to the shore. The world keeps singing all around me Like it has before. And all creation leans toward You, In rhythms I can’t ignore— The stars sing Your name, The sea sings Your name, Everything sings Your name. The mountains sing, the falling rain, Everything sings Your name. And if the wildest waters do, If thunder does the same, Teach me how to trust like that When even chaos knows Your name. The gulls ride high above the breakers, The wind comes laughing through the pines. The river finds its way to oceans Without a map or sign. The dawn still breaks across the water, Each season holds what You have made. And every living thing around me Is carried by Your grace. And every season points to You, In quiet and in roar— The stars sing Your name, The sea sings Your name, Everything sings Your name. The mountains sing, the falling rain, Everything sings Your name. And if the wildest waters do, If thunder does the same, Teach me how to trust like that When even chaos knows Your name. Maybe I don’t need the answers— I just need to know You’re here. In the crashing waves and driving rain, You are here, You are here. The stars sing Your name! The sea sings Your name! Everything sings Your name! The mountains sing, the falling rain, Everything sings Your name! And if the wildest waters do, If thunder does the same, Teach me how to trust like that When even chaos knows Your name! Even chaos knows Your name! The wind sings. The waves sing. And I will sing.
I hope you enjoy the song!
More spiritual practices are coming based on scripture in Genesis. More conflict transformation essays are coming too! But first, a few more paddles might be in store for me.
Peace,
Julene
