I was doing prep work in the kitchen yesterday afternoon for dinner. I flipped on the television. E News! was on. I'm embarrassed to say that after only 5 minutes I was hooked. It was the horrible kind of hooked. I knew it was trash but I just couldn't help myself. Everything in my brain was saying "Elizabeth, you are a college educated woman who knows who she is turn this junk off!" But I didn't. Giuliana Rancic had sucked me in. I wanted to be her friend in that moment. In a span of about 10 minutes I had the low down on who's ugly, who's hot, who to watch and not to watch. In ten minutes Giuliana had me convinced that I needed new clothes and an amazing destination vacation like Brad and Angelina. Commercial came on and snapped me back to reality. My only thought was "No wonder girls and women have such warped perceptions of themselves!"
The potatoes had finished boiling and Tucker the Corgi was barking to go outside. As soon as I stepped onto the brick patio a voice in my head said "Look up!" The sky was magnificent! Deep blues, pinks, yellows and purples. I'll admit it. I'm obsessed with God's artwork. Like it's an issue. Ask my husband. I will stop anything I'm doing-driving, laundry, a dinner with friends-to witness a gorgeous sunset. I've been known to leave groceries, in the cart at Food Lion, to capture a glimpse of the sunset in the parking lot. I put Tucker up, grabbed my purse, and headed to the river.
The river that runs through our part of the world is lazy. Spanish moss accompanies its banks. It's often overlooked by passerby's who are in route to the beach. We have an awesome nature park. It's like my own private oasis. The sun sets perfectly over the quiet muddy banks. I kid you not, it can be a religious experience. And yesterday was one of those days. I clearly heard the Holy Spirit whisper to my soul "No one is looking up. Tell them to look up". Now this is going to sound weird but I had a whole conversation going on in my head with God. "I know! I don't understand it. Well actually, Lord, I do. Everyone's watching E News! or the Kate Middleton baby countdown". Don't laugh it was a real moment.
Last night as Robin and I walked the dogs out before bed the stars were phenomenal. We live in the city limits. I don't think I've ever seen them so bright. Robin said "Whoah, that was cool. Did you see it?" Just above the tree tops a shooting star rocketed by. "Look up, child, look up" was all I heard ringing in my ears. As we put up the dogs I scrolled through my news feed. I happened upon an amazing picture. A couple in Up State New York captured a picture of four simultaneous vibrant rainbows at sunset last night. I definitely think God is speaking to us through the sky.
We are all so guilty of looking back, looking around us, and looking ahead. Rarely do we look at the now. Rarely do we look up. One of the things that attracted me most to my husband was his absolute love for his families farm. I have dozens of pictures of him just strolling through the fields. Totally at peace. Time stands still. We look up. We don't look back. We don't look at the day ahead. We look at the sunset. Cicada's chirping, warm southern breezes, dogs barking in the distance. Leaves rustling in the woods. The quiet movement of deer in the fields. It is there I feel God. Physically feel His presence. He is breathtaking.
The bible is full of accounts of God using the sky to get the attention of man. Most notably, of course, is the story of the Wise men. But what intrigues me even more is Genesis 1:1. It is there that we are told "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth". If that is the very first line in the bible? If that is the very first thing that God did? I'm pretty sure looking to the heavens is important to Him.
The potatoes had finished boiling and Tucker the Corgi was barking to go outside. As soon as I stepped onto the brick patio a voice in my head said "Look up!" The sky was magnificent! Deep blues, pinks, yellows and purples. I'll admit it. I'm obsessed with God's artwork. Like it's an issue. Ask my husband. I will stop anything I'm doing-driving, laundry, a dinner with friends-to witness a gorgeous sunset. I've been known to leave groceries, in the cart at Food Lion, to capture a glimpse of the sunset in the parking lot. I put Tucker up, grabbed my purse, and headed to the river.
The river that runs through our part of the world is lazy. Spanish moss accompanies its banks. It's often overlooked by passerby's who are in route to the beach. We have an awesome nature park. It's like my own private oasis. The sun sets perfectly over the quiet muddy banks. I kid you not, it can be a religious experience. And yesterday was one of those days. I clearly heard the Holy Spirit whisper to my soul "No one is looking up. Tell them to look up". Now this is going to sound weird but I had a whole conversation going on in my head with God. "I know! I don't understand it. Well actually, Lord, I do. Everyone's watching E News! or the Kate Middleton baby countdown". Don't laugh it was a real moment.
Last night as Robin and I walked the dogs out before bed the stars were phenomenal. We live in the city limits. I don't think I've ever seen them so bright. Robin said "Whoah, that was cool. Did you see it?" Just above the tree tops a shooting star rocketed by. "Look up, child, look up" was all I heard ringing in my ears. As we put up the dogs I scrolled through my news feed. I happened upon an amazing picture. A couple in Up State New York captured a picture of four simultaneous vibrant rainbows at sunset last night. I definitely think God is speaking to us through the sky.
We are all so guilty of looking back, looking around us, and looking ahead. Rarely do we look at the now. Rarely do we look up. One of the things that attracted me most to my husband was his absolute love for his families farm. I have dozens of pictures of him just strolling through the fields. Totally at peace. Time stands still. We look up. We don't look back. We don't look at the day ahead. We look at the sunset. Cicada's chirping, warm southern breezes, dogs barking in the distance. Leaves rustling in the woods. The quiet movement of deer in the fields. It is there I feel God. Physically feel His presence. He is breathtaking.
The bible is full of accounts of God using the sky to get the attention of man. Most notably, of course, is the story of the Wise men. But what intrigues me even more is Genesis 1:1. It is there that we are told "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth". If that is the very first line in the bible? If that is the very first thing that God did? I'm pretty sure looking to the heavens is important to Him.
There is certainly something going on in the sky that God wants us to know. He's trying to get our attention. Tonight? Turn off the news, go outside, and just watch the sunset. It is there that you will hear Him. See Him. It is there that you will witness just a glimpse of His majesty.
"for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he
rewards those who seek him"-Hebrews 11:6
rewards those who seek him"-Hebrews 11:6
