“A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the Lord — but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake — but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire — but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound….”  1Kings19:11-12

This week in Washington DC we have had the earthquake – the strongest one in over 100 years! And it felt like mighty shaking!  Especially because this part of the country isn’t very accustomed to earthquakes!
Then the winds came – mighty and destructive winds – and hurricane Irene followed.  Rains flowed and although there were no fires, I tell you, the events of this week have caused me to listen more intently for that tiny whispering sound!

One of the whispers during the week was an opportunity, following the earthquake, to visit the new Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial on the tidal basin.  It is very impressive and feels like a sacred place …. for “out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope” is so visually present in the entrance and approach to the standing figure of King.  Truly a whisper of hope, truly a graced moment.