Life is filled with beauty but all too often much of it is missed. We fly fast from task to task. One year leads to another. Put the Christmas tree up. Take it down.
The older I get I’m finding myself resisting the fast pace and intentionally lingering to savor moments and people.
To kneel down and gaze at a flower.
To study a raindrop
or a starry sky.
To enjoy the smell of freshly perked coffee in the morning
and bread baking in the oven.
It’s these moments when I take the time to look deeper and listen carefully
that I sense tremendous beauty and realize that I am living on holy ground.
People are treasures and need to be cherished.
Years ago I lived in a neighborhood where I was surrounded by many elderly folks.
I was young and in my twenties and they were in their eighties and nineties.
Precious people. Wrinkles and twinkles all around.
One dear lady lived across from me. She never left her home.
But one day I took her a piece of homemade apple pie and she invited me in.
We talked and shared. I listened fascinated as I grew to know her better.
No longer was she the woman who never left her home.
No she became the lady with a colorful past who delighted to have someone visit.
I who went to bless came away the richer.
That began a friendship which lasted for year.
Then when I moved states away
One day I received a strange envelope.
Opening it I saw a small waxed paper package
And a note.
“Thought you might enjoy these,” it read.
“Love, Hester.”
Tears trickled down my cheeks as I opened the package to see carefully pressed wild violets.
Memories of walking by those violets lining her front walk flooded my mind.
How very kind.
At a time when I was so homesick for Virginia she sent me a precious gift.
I’ll never forget that as long as I live.
“Inasmuch as you have done it to the least of these,
You have done it unto Me,” Matthew 25:40
Jesus said that how we treat others is how we treat Him.
Yes, I think if we could just remember Him and that how we treat others impacts Him, we would then see others through His eyes.
Yes, I long to reach out to others
To build
And to bless.
The neighbor on my one side. The friend I just met.
Young and old
Jeans or business suit.
Shining moments all around just waiting to happen.
Sharon, you are such a rare gem in this fast-paced world. I love this reminder: “…I am living on holy ground.” It seems like you write about the very topic I’m pondering. Thank you for another blessed reminder to take life slow and really savor each moment. I’m going to intentionally do that this week. Might even get back to journaling!
Thank you, Bonnie. I remind myself all the time to slow down and open my eyes. We are surrounded by beauty and you catch it in your photos. Journaling does help us to focus and get in touch. Have a glorious week and thanks for sharing.