One September day here in Wisconsin I took an hour walk in the rain. I was walking through a nature preserve and, predictably, it was deserted. Who would be crazy enough to be out in a rainstorm? But there I was, walking along, getting soaked, not much minding because my heart was full of wonder, noticing things.
I was watching the life-giving rain fall on the remnants of flowers, now brown with age. And I was thinking about how they would never be restored until the last of winter is over, and spring is born.
It seems sad, in a way, that we age—that the strength and beauty of youth fades and falls away. But every year we grow richer, our lives filled with memories, experiences, worship. Some grow more beautiful as they age, like the autumn maple tree. Some just seem like a shell, brown and empty.
I sense that all of this is precious to God—that none of this escapes His notice. And like a mother holding out her arms to receive her baby’s first step, so also God holds out His arms to receive us into eternity.
In 1 Kings 21:29, God speaks to Elijah the prophet. “Have you noticed…?” He asks.
Have you noticed?
Remember, you are designed to make a difference!
Dwight
Photo credit: Adapted from a photo by Olin Gilbert, Flickr, Creative Commons License
