The first snows have fallen in this part of the country, where it is uncommon to receive as much as we did. Most things come to a stop—traffic, business, work—things that happen every day. Many enjoy the fluffy, white snow and get out with their children or friends. As we pause from normal routines, we may stay in relax, unwind, keep warm by a fire, and spend a little more time with the ones we love.
I look back at photos from years past and remember times of fun in the snow. Images of our oldest grandson looking out the window at snows that had fallen with wonder and excitement. I always enjoy seeing the world through these little ones eyes. How they love, how everything is exciting, fresh and new. All of the firsts that they see, feel and experience. The laughter that fills our house, the silly things that bring them joy. And yet, I wonder if this is something I have lost over the years. Things that really matter to them and are a bother or something I have taken for granted.
Snow. A nuisance, or a welcome distraction. How the air is so clean and crisp, or how it is piled up and I need to get it off the car and clear the driveway. I know, I know, these things must be done, but if I don’t take a few minutes to enjoy it and soak it in…. If I live my life just trying to get by, ready to do the next thing that I have to do or the next task, am I really opening my eyes to the life all around me? Or am I blind to all the glimmers of Hope and Blessing all around me. The life in the birds that search for some water to drink because of this snow. The squirrels that chase each other for the acorns that one has stolen from the other.
We, we are as limited by time as we want to be. Racing to the stoplights, to punch the clock at work, which we must do, so that we can afford all of the stuff that we need and want. Standing in line at the store to pay for the full basket of groceries that we need to feed our families with while watching the lady pull out her notebook full of coupons. The line that backs up because the gas prices are low and everyone has to get gas today. Moments of humanity that we miss because we don’t look. The people that we interact with in each moment of everyday that we don’t even glance at. We don’t see because we have our agenda, that thing that we have to go do that is so necessary and pressing. We work ourselves into a frenzy, filling our lives with the things that we do because we feel like it is just expected of us. And maybe it is. Maybe we have family or friends who do expect us to do the things that make us want to scream on the inside. We think we’ll let them down if we don’t get there right away. Maybe we should take our time. Maybe we should take more time and moments as they come. What if we were… available? What if we were open to those who are vulnerable with us in the moments when we have some place to be?
The Gospels describe a man who did just that. Despite the pressing and clamoring crowds, He made the time. Although He had weddings and festivals to attend, He found a way to turn aside, without getting frustrated with those who were so needy. A man that used illustrations of birds and how they are not worried about food and shelter, for they knew that He would take care of them. A man who was constantly open to having His life interrupted, who, as He was teaching, had the roof above Him ripped open so that some men could get their friend to Him for Healing. A man who knew the purpose for His life on earth, and yet did everything on time, for He was accessible and available to all who He knew He would love, heal and forgive.
I know that this is almost impossible for us. We do have places to go and people to see. But what if we were open to more? A chance to share His love more with others, who are in need of it who we wouldn’t have noticed if we had not stopped for a second. To be thankful for the person who waits on us at the store, or out at dinner and share that gratitude with them. To see others as valued and loved by our Creator and look them in the eye. Maybe they could see Him in us. Maybe they could come to know His Love because we took a moment out of our day to offer them something of beauty, something of Him. A word spoken in a gentle way that brings comfort to someone going through something that we may never know about. A prayer over someone who can’t find the words to articulate what they are going through.
Maybe we can see the world differently and life as more than something just to get through. Things that bother us or are a pain as less bothersome or painful; as chances to meet someone new or just meet a need for someone. I think He would have us to be more open and available than we are at times. To not have such poor attitudes about things that He is blessing us with. Gifts of time, which will echo on into eternity as we look those in the eye who can’t or won’t lift their heads. To remind someone that they are covered with His fingerprints, are highly valued and prized. That they are dearly loved children and children of the Most High God. To introduce someone to the gift and promise of His Love. To see them come alive at the thought of Eternal Love and Life. Maybe we can remember this better as we go about the day……. Maybe we can start today.
I look back at photos from years past and remember times of fun in the snow. Images of our oldest grandson looking out the window at snows that had fallen with wonder and excitement. I always enjoy seeing the world through these little ones eyes. How they love, how everything is exciting, fresh and new. All of the firsts that they see, feel and experience. The laughter that fills our house, the silly things that bring them joy. And yet, I wonder if this is something I have lost over the years. Things that really matter to them and are a bother or something I have taken for granted.
Snow. A nuisance, or a welcome distraction. How the air is so clean and crisp, or how it is piled up and I need to get it off the car and clear the driveway. I know, I know, these things must be done, but if I don’t take a few minutes to enjoy it and soak it in…. If I live my life just trying to get by, ready to do the next thing that I have to do or the next task, am I really opening my eyes to the life all around me? Or am I blind to all the glimmers of Hope and Blessing all around me. The life in the birds that search for some water to drink because of this snow. The squirrels that chase each other for the acorns that one has stolen from the other.
We, we are as limited by time as we want to be. Racing to the stoplights, to punch the clock at work, which we must do, so that we can afford all of the stuff that we need and want. Standing in line at the store to pay for the full basket of groceries that we need to feed our families with while watching the lady pull out her notebook full of coupons. The line that backs up because the gas prices are low and everyone has to get gas today. Moments of humanity that we miss because we don’t look. The people that we interact with in each moment of everyday that we don’t even glance at. We don’t see because we have our agenda, that thing that we have to go do that is so necessary and pressing. We work ourselves into a frenzy, filling our lives with the things that we do because we feel like it is just expected of us. And maybe it is. Maybe we have family or friends who do expect us to do the things that make us want to scream on the inside. We think we’ll let them down if we don’t get there right away. Maybe we should take our time. Maybe we should take more time and moments as they come. What if we were… available? What if we were open to those who are vulnerable with us in the moments when we have some place to be?
The Gospels describe a man who did just that. Despite the pressing and clamoring crowds, He made the time. Although He had weddings and festivals to attend, He found a way to turn aside, without getting frustrated with those who were so needy. A man that used illustrations of birds and how they are not worried about food and shelter, for they knew that He would take care of them. A man who was constantly open to having His life interrupted, who, as He was teaching, had the roof above Him ripped open so that some men could get their friend to Him for Healing. A man who knew the purpose for His life on earth, and yet did everything on time, for He was accessible and available to all who He knew He would love, heal and forgive.
I know that this is almost impossible for us. We do have places to go and people to see. But what if we were open to more? A chance to share His love more with others, who are in need of it who we wouldn’t have noticed if we had not stopped for a second. To be thankful for the person who waits on us at the store, or out at dinner and share that gratitude with them. To see others as valued and loved by our Creator and look them in the eye. Maybe they could see Him in us. Maybe they could come to know His Love because we took a moment out of our day to offer them something of beauty, something of Him. A word spoken in a gentle way that brings comfort to someone going through something that we may never know about. A prayer over someone who can’t find the words to articulate what they are going through.
Maybe we can see the world differently and life as more than something just to get through. Things that bother us or are a pain as less bothersome or painful; as chances to meet someone new or just meet a need for someone. I think He would have us to be more open and available than we are at times. To not have such poor attitudes about things that He is blessing us with. Gifts of time, which will echo on into eternity as we look those in the eye who can’t or won’t lift their heads. To remind someone that they are covered with His fingerprints, are highly valued and prized. That they are dearly loved children and children of the Most High God. To introduce someone to the gift and promise of His Love. To see them come alive at the thought of Eternal Love and Life. Maybe we can remember this better as we go about the day……. Maybe we can start today.
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