Slow Enough to Notice Each Other and Our Blessings

I do not have the ability to hurry. I have come to appreciate this as a blessing. It is much easier to recognize and appreciate things at ten miles an hour than it is at ninety miles an hour! I love the experience of either gazing while thinking about something or listening to someone when my wholeperception suddenly changes. It’s very similar to the puzzles we had as children—the longer we looked, the more things we recognized.

The quickest way to “Joy” for me is when I’m intentional about expressing gratitude. But it’s a daily struggle. Recently while in Orange Beach, Alabama, I had the opportunity to spend some time alone and found a spot with not only an incredibly beautiful view, but the breeze was nothing less than perfect. After a few moments the “noise” I typically carry around everywhere I go began to disappear. It was one of those moments, in one of those spots, where I just became overwhelmed at God’s goodness and beauty of His creation.

I started noticing young men and women “zip” by on a jet ski or a sailboat. I’m embarrassed to admit that I would occasionally feel a bit of jealousy or maybe self-pity, regretting I couldn’t participate. I would capture the thought as quickly as I could and recover.

I remember thinking how wonderful I felt…inside and out. My father-in-law walked by and decided to sit and visit with me for a while. My first thought was that I regretted no longer being alone. We talked for a minute and I began pointing at certain things I had noticed and was describing in great detail everything I was enjoying so much. Suddenly I realized that instead of looking at anything I was directing him to, he was looking at me. What was happening? When I finally took a breath and stopped talking, he took the opportunity to tell me how much he appreciated how descriptive I was. He literally was unable to see anything beyond a few feet in front of him. My father-in-law has macular degeneration, and is losing his vision. He no longer
can enjoy so much that he and I have always cherished.

It was one of those moments that the Lord frequently uses to bring my life back into focus. My father-in-law Charlie and I have always enjoyed reading about and discussing any topic we found fascinating. I honestly believe he became a doctor for the most noble reason. It had nothing to do with the financial rewards, and everything to do with the combination of his desire to genuinely help others, and “scratch the itch” God gave him to be perpetually curious. Soon he will no longer be able to read.

I’ve now added “eyesight” to my daily “gratitude” list.