The Chair. I think we all have The Chair. It’s that place where we sit, taking time to look at things, ponder things, and hold court – with God and ourselves.
The Chair is pretty diverse in its manifestations. It can recline, rock, glide, creak, . . . or even flush.
My Chair is a Christmas present from The Wife – a comfortable, old, overstuffed recliner from the local parish’s Thrift Store.
I look at the 4:00 AM world outside my window. A cold fog blankets the street, letting me see only about half a block. Kinda matches my mental state at the moment. Things don’t seem too awful clear. Direction and purpose seem a little bamboozled. Maybe a lot of bamboozled.
After awhile, I get up to begin the brewing of the Elixir Of Knowledge (a.k.a. coffee). I walk past the front door and , for no particular reason, look out its window.
There’s the morning star, just a-blazin’ in the sky. And it brought some friends. I open the door and step out onto the sidewalk.
In the eastern sky, Venus looks like a distant sports car headlight. One of those new ones, the really bright ones. And there’s a handful of smaller neighbors keeping her company.
To my right is my old huntin’ buddy, Orion. He’s ready to go out to the deer stand, bow in hand.
Turning back to my left, I see the Big Dipper over the top of Rock and Mona’s house. It’s standing on the end of its handle, pointing juuuust a little bit past upright.
I swear I hear the words of Malachi* in my head. Man, that's a really big ladle dumping a whole lotta blessing. Incredible.
My feet now urgently remind me of two things. 1: they’re naked. And 2: they’re standin' on 18 degree concrete. Frozen concrete.
(Smart things, feet. And very articulate.)
I hop back into the house and head for the coffee maker. Five minutes later I’m back in The Chair. It’s still foggy and it’s still dark.
But when I look at the wall by the top of the computer desk, over there by the door . . . Venus is just shining away. Even when I can’t see it.
And Orion is striding through the universe as he steps over the TV and goes behind the woodstove. Even when I can’t see it.
And God’s here right now. Leading me, blessing me, loving me.
Even when . . .
* Malachi 3:10