A Rostock Wind

Dear Saints!

Tuesday evening, I stepped outside. And was hit by heavy rain and a wind that took away my breath for a second. I inhaled deeply, once, twice and stretched my arms into the air. This felt like home! I ran inside, yelling happily: “There is a Rostock wind outside!”

Rostock is my hometown in Northern Germany at the Baltic Sea. The sea that was home to the Vikings. It’s a small sea, nearly a large salty lake. But we have winds and storms (with or without rain) up there that will take away your breath (and your roof if it’s not built correctly!).

Up there we call storms a wind and wind a light breeze. To qualify as a storm you have to be able to fully lean into it without falling backwards. In Rostock only newcomers carry umbrellas. And they only do that once. Until the wind folded it in half and they are wet to the bones in no time. When we go to the beach in spring, fall or winter, we wrap up warm and hope to be “blown through”. To be thoroughly cleansed and refreshed in body and soul.

Heavy winds howling around the house, rattling the windows, make me feel at home. Walking in the storm, grasping for breath, makes me happy. Any heavy thoughts will have vanished, I feel alive and renewed. Like God’s Spirit ran right through me, cleansing me and uplifting me through the forces of nature. Wind calms me down.

And I wonder, if that is what Jesus did and meant when he rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. (Matthew 8:26) To provide us with a safe space amidst the chaos and uncertainty. To find beauty and peace when everything around us is in upheaval. And be it just for the second of a deep breath!

May you breathe deeply today, Pastor Tia!