The chaos of managing COVID-19 and impending medical procedures have me more restless than ever. The refrain from a song to be used this coming Sunday runs through my head:
Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,
blow through the wilderness calling and free,
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,
stir me from placidness,
wind, wind on the sea.*
The 100 times I have listened to, studied, and manipulated the music for virtual worship may account for the earworm. The lilting tune, though, haunts me not as an annoyance but as an assurance. The first line calms before the latter part of the refrain jolts me to awakeness.
Is my restlessness from the Spirit/God/Creator/Whatever? I like to think so. Restlessness of retirement has prompted me into writing more. COVID-19 has pushed me into technology more than I dreamed of. I have a restless spirit, often feeling called in different directions, unsure of where to land. When young people quip that they “don’t know what they want to be when they grow up,” I counter that I am retired and I still don’t know. So many things look interesting. Unfortunately, the conflicting sirens can lead me to placidness of indecision. I need the Spirit to get me off my bottom and moving. Often that Spirit comes in the form of restlessness.
What a great time to explore. None of my projects will bring me riches or fame. I trust that what I am drawn to do is good, for whatever/whomever, I don’t know. But it helps me sleep at night.
*Text and tune by James K. Manley© 1978 James K. Manley
