This picture was taken this spring in the hills to the west of See Canyon under the power lines from Diablo Nuclear Power Plant. It was a gorgeous sunset, and I could hear the faint buzzing of the high tension lines. My thoughts went toward heavenly music as I photographed the silhouetted lines against the colorful palette of the clouded sky.

Some folks learn best visually. For some, it’s through an emotional moment. For some, it’s through sound or music. God is not limited in His ways, time, or place to have a relationship with us. He meets us where we are. That’s what friends do. He does not force us beyond our will but showers us with love unbounded.

My soul is often touched by the things I see in so many situations. Music has also been an open avenue to my heart. I melt under the combination of words, visual beauty, touch, and heavenly music. Sitting in the pew next to my wife in the company of friends, listening to inspiring words, and singing together often push me to joyous weeping. I am speechless and cannot contain it all. My cup surely runneth over.

The current pandemic and social distancing has put my emotions back in the ICU. Zoom doesn’t cut it, and phone calls fall short. I feel like I’m confined to a space suit in an alien environment. I pray to God, who uses you to embrace me with His love, that it will end soon.  I see Him in your eyes. I miss you. An enemy has put us in this emergency situation. Lord, come quickly. In the meantime, open up ways to unite my family once again. Can you identify?

—Larry Smith