Don't Miss the Sun, Mom

Image credit: By Dario Gartmann (2015), Pixabay.com, CC0/PD[/caption] It was a magnificent moment — and I missed it. I admit, I was a bit bleary-eyed — it was the early morning rush, after all. I steered my sedan along my customary morning commute route, when I spotted it: off to my left was the sunrise. I thought briefly of stopping the car and snapping a photo which I could then triumphantly post on Facebook—maybe even Instagram, if it was really top-notch. But then I noticed electrical lines which were in the way of my brilliant photographic image. Disappointed, I continued on my pre-work journey to grab a coffee before the morning mania really began. In those brief seconds, I had missed an awe-inspiring experience of God. Because if I had moved past my prejudice against obstructing power lines, I could have reveled in the revelation of God’s beauty. Instead, focusing through a social-media lens, I missed a God moment. And I was the poorer for it. Especially during this time of year, when school has resumed and vacations have long since passed, it can be easy to miss many God moments in the daily rush. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Here are three ways to see the hand of the Almighty working through your life:

Make a commitment to enjoy nature — at least for an instant each day. Thank God for the majestic trees in your neighborhood, the lovely blades of grass in your yard, the rich collection of clouds above your head. That second of gratitude is a God moment which can enrich your whole day.
Smile — and savor the smiles you receive in return. I have always thought that my daughter’s smile is so infectious and joyful. It is truly a sign of God’s incredible handiwork, and I delight in seeing it.
Approach your world with a contemplative stance. Adopt a sense of wonder each morning which can carry you through your day. God’s miracles are truly all around us — if we have eyes to see them.

Since God is the one in ultimate control, the path to God runs through the center of our lives. Our Father is constantly revealing himself to us in the ordinary circumstances of each day. The more attuned we are to looking for God, the more likely we will find him, since he is in constant pursuit of us. So don’t miss the sun, Mom — and savor each moment you have with the Lord.