The beauty of creation and the pull of my Creator drew me outside into the vast warmness of the sun and slight breeze blowing through the trees. Expectantly I walked briskly to the back forty into the wide open space encapsulated by a magnificent treeline that acts as a protective shield from the noise and busyness of the city street located close by. Oh yes, a happy place to retreat for a noon time walk. Just me and my Lord, and of course the sweet sounds of the wildlife hanging out in the trees and below. Not that I truly paid much mind to them. My purpose was to be alone with God and take in his beauty.

     This time with my God in his creation is precious to me. The peacefulness of nature. The sweet sounds of birds. The warmth of the sun and slight breeze through the trees. These bring a stillness to my soul that welcomes God’s promptings in my mind. Prayers for friends. Sweet memories. 

     With a few laps in, around the property perimeter, I sensed God telling me, “Look up. While you are watching the ground, you are missing the beauty all around and above you. The same is happening in your life. While you are absorbed in the stuff, you are missing the beauty of life all around you. And me, above you.”

     Such a powerful moment for me. I didn’t realize until that moment how I had been spending my whole walk looking down at the ground and my feet. As I began to look up and all around me, I noticed the vibrant greens of the tree’s leaves, the volleyball net standing at attention, the bleacher seating empty and alone, and the pavilion full of tables. These things had been there this whole time. I noticed them. But did I really see them?

     My mind went to my current life situation. I realized how I’ve been so encapsulated by the tough stuff I’ve been experiencing that I’ve been missing the beauty of so many things around me. Especially the Lord above me. Have I truly noticed these? The weeks, days, hours, minutes, seconds of time I’ve spent covered in distress. They are time and beauty that has slipped through my fingers.

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     Recently, I spent some time with a handful of special people in my life. I was in a space where I was invited to ‘go for a walk’. I quickly tagged along not knowing where exactly we were walking to or the purpose of the walk. With my lunch in hand, I trailed along. The walk was to the back forty to set up a pool/baptismal. I announced, “I’ve not ever set up a pool before, but I can follow direction if someone tells me what to do.” I became the instructions holder and navigator of what parts are to go where. In short order with grace-filled cooperation, the pool was soon assembled and the task was finished.

     What soon occurred to me is that this must be what working as a family looks like. Not that I had or have a bad family life, this was just a new experience for me. The memory is so precious to me and stirred something in my heart. I ‘looked up’ and saw a place where I belong. A place where I can look around me and see beauty. A place that points me up towards God.

This song was on my mind as I finished my walk today.

Look Up by Lauren Daigle