An Intimate Reminder

One of the things I love, and sometimes hate, about my husband is that he challenges me. On days that aren't great he pushes me. Forces me to never quit. It might be something as simple as a drive downtown to the river. We watch the families fishing. The teenagers up to no good. We listen to the water. Observe the current. The flow of the Neuse as it swishes past the muddy banks with its hanging Spanish moss. We observe, often in silence, the beautiful Eastern North Carolina sunsets. It gives me peace. Perspective. Out of all the monetary gifts he has given me these gifts of time, reflection, and observation are my favorite. They are an intimate reminder of all that God blesses us with. 

Beauty surrounds all of us even when our lives sometimes seem ugly. Mundane. Too busy. Too lonely. Too overwhelming. He is always there. He never leaves us. The fact of the matter is that usually we leave Him. We cry out to Him wondering where He is. We get mad at Him because we can't feel Him. Upset that we feel empty and lonely despite our busy social schedules. Yet we don't stop to see Him in our midst. We are too busy. But He is right there with us. Beckoning us to take a few minutes to commune with Him. 

I think my ten year old nephews generation is missing out. They are missing the wonder of catching lightening bugs in a mason jar on a summers night. The pure exhilaration of kick the can under the street lights. The unprecedented first taste of freedom riding your bike with friends (without parents). Laying in the backyard on dew kissed grass watching shooting stars. They are missing out on experiencing just how wondrous God is. Knowing that He made it all. Being in awe of His creation. 

Sadly the next generation is in awe of iPhones, iPads, technology, video games, and YouTube. Immediate gratification. Nonstop action. Overload of mindless stimulation of the brain. And we wonder why young people don't believe in God? Why should they? Technology provides them with immediate answers to anything. No pondering life. No figuring out who they are and where their place in the world is. Google tells them anything they need to know. Why pray about it? Why converse with Jesus about life? There's no need too. The Internet has all of the answers to life. It has replaced God for many.

The Lord really is right beside us. He is patiently waiting for us to give Him some free time. We don't even have to carry on a conversation. All we have to do is be there. He will show up in the sunrise. He will show up in the clear blue sky. He will show up in the glorious pinks and oranges of the sunset. We just need to be still. Come into His presence. Breath out. Soften our shoulders. Unleash the burdens of our day. Breath in. And just watch. I promise you will see Him.

"The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands."-Psalm 19:1