Originally published September 7, 2012
A child laughing. Sitting in a rocking chair, amongst tropical flowers, watching little girls jump rope and compete as to who can jump the greatest number of times. A little girl calling my name throughout the house to find me, then entering my room to show me pictures that have been taken in the last couple months. These are only some of the moments of the day that make me stop and just take it all in. The pace of life just feels so different here. Maybe that is one thing I love about coming here. At home everything feels so rushed, with hectic schedules and overall busy lifestyles. I can easily get wrapped up in things I need to get done, appointments, meetings, and gatherings to the point that I am just routinely going through the motions, and pushing through my list for the day. Just to get up the next day and do it all over again. Now, I’m not saying that there aren’t things in my schedule that I enjoy doing- I enjoy gathering with friends and family, I enjoy serving, I enjoy my work. But, if I am just doing a routine, just crossing things off my to-do list, then my focus is off. I am focusing on me, on my small world. I have tunnel vision. I am not seeing the beauty of each moment because I am operating in a mode of getting through the day. I am not seeing the beauty of God’s creation around me because I am putting blinders on in order to only focus on my day, my life. Even the previous times I have been here with an intense schedule, it is not the same as having an intense schedule at home. I think it is a frame of mind. I am acutely aware when I am here that I am here to be a light for Christ. So why am I not as acutely aware at home? Why do I allow myself to become wrapped up in my own busyness? Most of my day at home is filled with things that cannot be cut out in order to be less busy, but I can consciously do a better job, in His strength, to stay focused on Him. To see each moment how He desires me to see it. With His beauty, His glory and His heart.
“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” Psalm 8:3-4,9