Disturbed R.E.M.

It is a fine evening here in Maui with trade winds reaching 20 mph.  Enough to rattle the pictures right off the walls and send the dogs into a barking frenzy at every unexpected whistle that escapes under the window sills.  I have little to do but share with you these few thoughts.

The Kolps and Adkissons were all gathered around the family dining table the other night sharing in fine wine, cheese, and the oddities of our memories.  Topic chosen for the evening discussion:  Sleepwalking.  Sleep talking.  Dreams.  Let's recall.

The state of mind we enter in the deep unknown of our minds can be a startling discovery of who we really are and what we really fear.  I can recall reoccurring dreams I had as a small child which visited me at least once a week for years.  They terrified me.  I remember waking up in the middle of the night only to find myself sitting on a water tower outside our farmhouse in the middle of a blizzard with no shoes on.  That kind of "powerful" freaks me out.  I recollect being woken up with a painful thud only to realize I had violently thrown myself off the top bunk bed due to an intense dream.  I have awoken in sobs and terror at having dreamt my mother died.  And most of all, I cannot forget the dreams that always led me to water.  The ocean, more specifically.  There were always waves involved.  Sometimes the water led me to a struggle and sometimes it was a joyful experience.  It always varied, but I was always led to the sea.  I suppose part of it stems from being fearful of the terrible power of the ocean, especially tidal waves.  How ironic that I find myself living on a plot of land surrounded by endless oceans. 

I suppose the mystery of the ocean has always drawn me.  When I look over the vast expanse of blue at any vantage point, I always wonder in fear and awe of what really lies before me.  What creatures lie leagues ahead and below?  Do they have the power to sweep us mere humans away?  Would I stand a fighting chance were I pitted against any of these creatures invariably?  How many undiscovered species are there yet?  How many decaying ships are hidden from our radars containing some of the world's greatest treasures?  Does the fierce force and raw power of the seas serve as a small picture of what our God can do?  I've always seen myself as a single grain of sand compared to the strength of the ocean.  And really, looking down on us 6 or 7 billion humans, that really is how small we are.  But God has mysteriously set a purpose ahead of each of us little, tiny, minute grains of sand.  We are all known to Him, we are all adored.  What a miracle to know that we are loved and cherished by the most massive force in the history of all the galaxies and all that has and will ever exist.  We are his beloved treasures.  And we have been given the tremendous gift of life.  What are we to do with the life that has freely been given to us?

Please feel free to leave thoughts or comments.  I would love to hear about some of your dreams!!