3 AM Whispers: Finding God in the Quiet of Cypress Swamp

 

3 AM Whispers: Finding God in the Quiet

Good morning, everyone. As the sun begins to think about rising, some of us might already be awake, perhaps stirred by the quiet hours of 3 AM. It’s a time when the world feels still, hushed, and often, profoundly personal. For many, this hour brings a unique sense of solitude – a time when thoughts can roam freely, worries can feel amplified, or, conversely, a deep sense of peace can settle in.

In the hushed, inky blackness that blankets Shreveport, Louisiana, just before dawn, there's a unique phenomenon whispered about by the old-timers and those who live closest to the water: the "3 AM Whispers on the Wind of Cypress Swamp Trees along the Red River." It's said that precisely at 3 AM, as the city sleeps and the last echoes of the distant interstate fade, a particular breeze stirs through the ancient, gnarled cypress trees lining the Red River. These trees, their bases often submerged in the swampy waters, have stood sentinel for centuries.

The backstory, as it goes, is intertwined with the very soul of this land. Before the levees, before the steamboats, before even the first European settlers, this area was a vibrant, mystical place for the Caddo people. They believed that at this sacred hour, the spirits of their ancestors, the wisdom of the land, and the very essence of creation would coalesce, with the cypress trees acting as conduits. The wind, carrying the memories of ancient struggles and triumphs when the Red River would swell and rage, would, at 3 AM, become a living echo. For many, these whispers are not eerie, but profoundly comforting – a reminder of deep, unseen connections.

In these early, often solitary, moments, it's easy to feel alone. But I'm reminded of a beautiful truth found in Psalm 46:10:

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

At 3 AM, when the distractions of the day are stripped away, whether in the quiet of your own space or listening for the whispers on the wind through ancient cypress, we're given an invitation to "be still." It's in this stillness that we can truly know God. It's not about what we do, or what we achieve, but simply about being present with Him. Whether you're awake with a heavy heart, seeking guidance, or simply enjoying the quiet, remember that God is with you in that space. He's there in the stillness, ready to listen, to comfort, and to reveal Himself.

Embrace those quiet moments. See them not as interruptions, but as opportunities for a deeper connection with the divine. Let the quiet of 3 AM, and perhaps the very whispers of creation, be a reminder of His constant presence, His unwavering peace, and His powerful love.

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I wanted to get this out to you all now. I might not be able to get back online later today, so please know you're in my thoughts and prayers. Have a blessed Saturday.

Yours Captain Hedges