Why does God make me sneeze?

A parishioner pointed out how much they enjoyed my blog having found it this past week.  They said this with a wry smile knowing that the last entry was at Christmas.  Ouch!  I should do better I replied.

So as I began to write this, I sneezed once, then twice, then a third time - lurching chest, eye watering, ear ringing sneezes.  I've pulled a muscle or two in my back, fractured a rib or two and will need nasal reconstruction as a result of my allergies this spring.  I can't remember a time like this when I was so sensitive to the beauty blooming in our midst.  I love spring.  I love being outside.  I love flowers and trees and green grass.   I love looking out the "east" window of the church at the beauty of God's creation, I still sneeze - from the altar flowers.  Why does God make me sneeze? 

That, of course, is a silly question.  But not one without a reply.  To sneeze is to breathe and to breathe is to be alive, physically to be sure, and spiritually.  The process of new life of which pollen and spores of all types bring into being should get our attention.  Maybe sneezing is a way of making sure we are paying attention, of making sure we are acknowledging the beauty and mystery of creation which is all too easy to take for granted.  In no way do I wish any of us misery with allergies, but I do hope that we take time to thank God for the beauty which surrounds us each and every day.  If I have to choose between a scratchy throat with watery eyes and  absence of a budding oak or a blooming azalea, I'll take one for the team and I will say thank you God each time I reach for a kleenex.   

Peace,  John+

Comments

[Pat]

I totally agree about blooming things (as I sit here doing everything but literally scratching my eyes out). People that think having trees are too much trouble are just nuts - or maybe just too lazy to rake.