The Cloud is Moving
by Mary Ann Halloran
I grew up in a family that camped. Every summer we would go camping. The campgrounds were usually only a few hours away in northern Arizona, and we loved being in the mountains. We would fish, hike, explore, swim in the creek, have campfires, and roast marshmallows. We loved it!
However, every few summers we would drive in our car without AC across the USA from Phoenix to Minneapolis to see relatives. These were not our favorite trips. In fact, we hated them.
On these long treks which took us about 3 days and nights to get there, we would never stay at a hotel at night. My dad would find a campground, and we would all help set up camp. My sister and I blew up the air mattress (by mouth) to put the sleeping bags on. They were usually flat by morning. We also helped unload the sleeping bags and luggage while my dad and brothers set up the canvas tent with poles, stakes, and ropes. My mom would heat up some Dinty Moore canned beef stew on the camp stove.
The next morning we would take it all down, pack up, load the luggage rack on top of our car, and set off on another hot day's journey. Ugh!
As an adult, I would think how we were sort of like the Israelites traveling through the desert. When the cloud would move, they would all take down their tents and move on. They had no previous notice. God used the cloud to move them on. They had to remain flexible and ready.
“On the day the Holy Tent was set up, a cloud covered it. The cloud stayed above the tent and at night it looked like fire. When the cloud moved from its place over the tent, the Israelites moved, and whenever the cloud stopped, the Israelites camped. So the Israelites moved at the Lord's command, and they camped at his command. While the cloud stayed over the tent, they remained camped.”
Numbers 9:15-18
I have learned, through having children and living in a close-knit community, that one must remain flexible and ready. We make our plans, and then something else arises and Mike will say, "Honey, the cloud is moving." In other words, a change of plans has suddenly occurred.
Mike and I have used "the cloud is moving" saying over and over again. We know exactly what it means. It has gotten much easier to quickly change plans over time. I've come to think of it as God just speaking his latest plan to us. At least I don't have to take a tent down.
Fr. Thomas used to talk to us about remaining flexible so we can move with God. It's the same idea. Flexibility usually requires some detachment from our plans and ideas.
I recently saw two quotes. One said, "Flexible people don't get bent out of shape." That makes a lot of sense. The other said, "Blessed are the flexible." The second one made me chuckle, but it's true.
Move with God and enjoy the journey. His plans are always better!
God bless,
Mary Ann / Mother Hen
I love this!