35 | thunder point | peek whurrong country #Lent 2023

Two perspectives.

1. O God, what are we that you should care for us? mere mortals, that you should think of us? We are like a puff of wind; our days are like a passing shadow. (Psalm 144:3-4)

I have walked along the cliffs for years.
They absorbed my lonely thoughts, inspired exhilarating breaths,
and the coastal tracks created a path for my plodding, non-eventful days.
Hearing the deep rumble of the surf tumbling, soothed me at night.Ferocious high waves crashed and pounded,
reminding me of enormous power.
A force so great, and me so small.
Thousands of pummelling watery rushes have worn down those cliffs.
And my life, in comparison, a small scratchy mark on the surface.
And that is strangely comforting.
 
People have gathered at Thunder Point
for six thousand or maybe even a hundred and twenty thousand years.
Eating shellfish, cooking on fires, huddling under possum skin cloaks.
Children probably waded,
poking and prodding starfish and anemones in the rock pools,
just like they do now.
 
The second cove along from Thunder Point attracts my focus
and brings back memories from a decade ago.
My teenage daughter and I were both hurting,
angry and feeling powerless about a situation.
Back home, busyness and chores created no space
for us to express our big emotions.

In the kitchen, dirty dishes, unfolded laundry.
Two huge baskets laden with Granny Smith apples sat on the floor,
waiting to be dealt with…
peeling and chopping needed for the freezer or bottling.
 
An idea came!
We each heaved a basket onto our hip
and made our way to Thunder Point.
That second cove,
where salt bushes make great seats to sit on and watch the sea.
We planted our bums on the prickly shrubs,
nestling the baskets of apples next to us.
……… Then, one by one, we launched the apples into the raging sea!
 
Those small solid green fruits full of potential,
got totally ‘pivved’ over the cliffs
and we yelled out our frustrations, our sadness, our hurts
that wouldn’t go away.
Hot angry tears and chest heaving growls,
as piece by piece, they flew into the wild ocean.
Laughter began to replace tears and I thought to myself,
“God can take it.” Ω

2. The sky tells the glory of God, tells the genius of God’s work. (Psalm 19)

The sunset deepened
And I felt the touch of God
Its brilliance widened
Clouds deeply tinged with pink
A loving gift filled the sky. Ω

What is this? Lent is the 40 days, excluding Sundays, before Easter. Traditionally it is a time of reflection and pilgrimage. To help you on this journey, Sanctuary has put together daily stories and images from people in the congregation which are focused on God in this place. Why this theme? Read this! #Lent2023. Our Spiritual Geography © Sanctuary, 2023. Sanctuary is based on Peek Whurrong country. Full acknowledgement of country here.