Ever had one of those days where all you want to do is go home and hide under a blanket with a good strong drink? I had one of those a week or so ago. It wasn’t even that bad of a day. I had one incident happen that spoiled every other good aspect of the day. Unfortunately, I often have a hard time overlooking that one bad thing.
I came home, fuming from the grumpiness that had overtaken me. As I pulled into the driveway, I climbed out of my car and noticed a little something on the deck chairs I had spray painted a few weeks before. A butterfly. Just chilling out and fluttering it’s wings quietly. I dashed by it and grabbed my camera from inside. I crept close to it and he/she barely even budged.
For a brief moment, I was able to put my annoyances from the day to the side. This calm little creature reminded me to do just as it was doing: calm down. Although I began my pity party again a few minutes later, I did manage to calm down for the moment.
I believe that God places such things in my path to get my attention. Often, I’m so wrapped up in my seemingly deserved self-worth that I saunter right on past. The attention grabbing is usually done in very subtle ways; flowers in bloom, a cool breeze, warm sun rays on my face, a smile from a stranger, a comforting scent or sound. I hate when I get to the point that I miss all of this.
In my favorite devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers states:
“In every wind that blows, in every night and day of the year, in every sign of the sky, in every blossoming and in every withering of the earth, there is a real coming of God to us if we will simply use our starved imagination to realize it.”
I think my imagination has been starved, because I feel as if I’m not picking up on much of this lately. Sadly, I walk right by every blossom and every withering, too self-absorbed to truly take it in and see God.
God has worked in these subtle ways in my life for a long time. Years ago, I was going through a break-up with my college sweetheart. It was for the best, and we had a friendly, “gentle” break-up and managed to remain friends. Even so, it was still difficult and painful. I took a long walk one evening, pouring my soul out to God, asking that my heart be mended. I got so caught up in my pity that I’m surprised I didn’t trip over it. As I was walking, my head was hanging down, and I almost missed the sign that God was putting right in front of me.
On top of a mailbox, three or four feet in front of me, sat an owl. It swiveled it’s head about 180 degrees and stared. I froze, afraid to move and scare it away. We stared at each other for a few seconds, then the majestic bird spread its wings and took off into the night. I remained frozen, finding it hard to believe that I had been that close to it. Then I smiled and continued walking, thanking God for a small message just for me. It took me out of myself and helped me realize that all would be well.
I pray that I can return to that childlike awareness and not miss those sweet, subtle signs.
