How Little It Takes

I'm standing in the shade of a tree. The branches make long shadows on the lawns around me. A man in a riding mower stirs up the warm scent of freshly mown grass. It's a sweet, comforting smell. It's cool and dark by this trunk. The summer breeze blows my hair across my cheek.

I'm waiting for a friend to pick me up for a lunch date, so I have a few moments to stand, breathe, and rejoice in the simplicity of mown grass, cool shade, and a light breeze.

It's a very small moment with very small details, yet that's all it takes. I enjoy those details so much, that I realize how much I've changed over the years.

It takes so little, now, to send me off rejoicing.

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There's a Stop Sign There

Today, I nearly drive right through an intersection because I forget the stop sign. It just doesn't seem right for there to be a stop sign there anyway. It's a long stretch of road with just a teeny-tiny parking lot to the left with a stop sign for oncoming traffic to let those cars out.

So I keep missing it and braking after the fact when I'm right in the middle of the intersection (or even after the intersection when I'm obviously too late).

I know, I know. There is a stop sign there, and it's telling me to stop. Not slow down, not roll through, but actually stop. Even if there's no car in sight. Even if it doesn't make sense. A higher authority tells me to stop, and stop I must. (I actually have this conversation with myself as I drive.)

In large ways and small ways, I was to listen and obey. Even if it makes no sense. Even if I see no point. Even if I can't comprehend any danger. Even if I have somewhere exciting to get to, fast.

When it's time to stop, we stop.

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Is God telling us to stop, and we're not?

Ripe with Anticipation

Today I hear the phrase that something felt "ripe with anticipation," and I realize that's a wonderful feeling to cultivate.

You wake up, eagerly expecting the marvelous blessings of God--often disguised--awaiting you.

You wake up nearly bursting because of the day's possibilities.

This very moment might be seen as ripe with anticipation. So I cultivate that sense and I know--like the Israelites in Joshua 3:5--that something's coming. Joshua says, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you."

Yes.