The earth shook, and the skies poured down rain, at the presence of God; You sent a gracious rain, O God, upon your inheritance; you refreshed the land when it was weary. Psalm 68:7
O LORD, I still my soul and make it quiet, like a child upon its mother’s breast; my soul is quieted within me. Psalm 131:2-3
Facebook is full of the early Tucson monsoons, which is the earth-shaking, roaring crash of water being poured down.
But let me tell you, Turks know how to do gracious.
The thing about Turkish baths is of course the water. Water being poured bowlful after bowlful, running down, swishing and scrubbing and smoothing off every bit of world-weary dustiness. And bags and bags of bubbles. And more bowls of water.
And the humility thing is an essential element, releasing all control to this large cheerful bosomy woman. Absolutely every sense of a grimy little girl being scoured vigorously yet kindly, even behind the ears. Childlike. At rest, deeply, without, sprawled on a heated marble slab, and within, a quieted soul.
And today’s Joy Dare was about full, as in Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.
Deniz loves her Istanbul and wants to share her beautiful country on so many levels. There are the history lessons, as we stand in Gezi Park or in her high school friend’s art gallery or when loud explosions go off at sunset announcing the close of Ramadan, and there are the abundant sights and sounds as we wander up and down and up again sparkling streets and past truly ancient stone walls, but there is also the very tangible and savory open-your-mouth full that we experience as she twinkles through yet another menu selection in yet another favorite restaurant and the waiters fill our table with little white plates of deliciousness. Deliciousness to be lingered over, as we soak in yet another view of the Bosphorus. And me, Miss-Clean-Plate-Club cannot even finish it all, not even one more little bite.
O be our mighty healer still, Lord of life and death;
Restore and strengthen, soothe and bless
With your almighty breath.
On hands that work and eyes that see,
Your healing wisdom pour,
That whole and sick, weak and strong
May praise you evermore.
O LORD, I still my soul and make it quiet.
Thank you.
No comments:
Post a Comment