Guest blogger: Kathleen Matson on Heavenly Light

Kathleen Matson of the Boston area was one of several readers who responded to my plea two weeks ago for guest bloggers willing to write 500 words or less about this beautiful piece of the Psalms:

“When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars that you set in place—Who are we that you are mindful of us, and a son of man that you care for us? Yet you have made us little less than a god, crowned us with glory and honor.” Psalm 8:4-6

Kathleen writes:

The little ones were finally down for the night after our busy day at The Cape. We were enjoying a much needed weekend respite with dear, old friends.  While our husbands watched a Red Sox game, my friend and I took a walk down to the beach to breathe in the sea air and unwind.

In the darkness we walked, chatting about the day’s events, the kids’ antics and our own concerns and worries. Approaching the dunes, with the wind hitting our faces, the fresh, invigorating scent of the ocean enveloped us. Close by, we could hear the roar of the waves pounding the shore. Almost simultaneously, we looked up and out toward some distant place, inhaled deeply with such force it could be heard, and we both let out exclamations of utter awe at the breathtaking sight before us!

The sky was a blanket of countless, dazzling stars! Stars so close it felt as though we could touch them! With no artificial light to obscure their view, as far as the eye could see, the mass of twinkling, radiant stars of all sizes and shapes were everywhere lighting the earth with their brilliance. The sky was alive with glorious, heavenly light!

Unable to speak, my friend and I stood as if in a holy place, soaking in this incredible energy and beauty. Surrounded by such magnificence, we felt somehow protected, as if arms were being wrapped about us. It was amazing, yet humbling at the same time, and instantly, peace began to fill my soul.

Any worries I had brought with me paled in this divine light. Showering its light upon the earth for all to see, each star had its place in the sky, and I couldn’t help but think that here we were, expected to do the same; one way or another, to shine ours too. As insignificant as I felt in the midst of this awesome display, for that brief moment I understood with intensity how much a part of God’s creation we all are.

How incredible to think that God has formed each cell, each atom, every particle in the universe and we are one with it. In hushed tones, we talked about this awesome sight and how filled with gratitude to God we were for this moment, and for the privilege to be in it. We walked back to the cottage in silence, my friend and I, filled to capacity with peace, our spirits refreshed and renewed by witnessing this glorious gift from the One who cares for us.

Unpublished Work Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson

Kathleen Matson lives in a suburb southwest of Boston with her husband of 44 years, Roger, and their beloved 10-year-old golden retriever, Maizy.  Their three children and their spouses, their five grandchildren, Roger’s parents and sister all live nearby, rounding out a very close family. “There is never a dull moment!” Kathleen writes. “Our grandchildren are the joys of our lives!”

For many years, Kathleen worked as a recreational therapist, directing programs for the ill and confined, before becoming a nurse in her late 40s. Her hobbies are diverse and include animals, nature, gardening, walking, cooking, crocheting, reading and crafts. She has been writing reflections and poetry for many years, influenced by her deep-rooted Catholic faith and inspired by scripture.

Having battled unrelenting autoimmune disease for many years, necessitating multiple surgeries in the past few years, life has changed dramatically for Kathleen. She says of this time: “But with this has come a deep, growing, profound understanding of God’s constant healing presence that is with us; not only recognizing it more fully in the love of family and friends, but also in the gift of time — time to meditate more frequently, to reflect, to listen, to write, and to appreciate the moments and people we are gifted with.”

In other news…Sue and I welcomed our first grandchild in the early morning of Tuesday, May 14. Noah Joseph Givens came screaming and rejoicing into the world and immediately captured the hearts of us all, but especially my son, Jon, and his wife, Jess.

In the Genesis story of Noah, we find a man who pleases God, a man who “walks with God.” Because of this, God challenges him and expects much of him. (I can still hear Bill Cosby’s routine here…”Noah, I want you to build an ark!” to which Noah replies: “Okay…what’s an ark?”) The story of Noah is a reminder to us all to pay attention to how God is moving in our lives and to be ready to respond with an affirmative “yes!” even if we don’t fully understand what the whole thing means…welcome Noah!