It was really the squirrel that started it all. When leaving my apartment one day, I took a moment to try to make friends with one of the many furry beings that spend their days dashing up and down the tall fir trees around our apartment. I stood still and spoke softly. It peered around the curve of the tree trunk with a suspicious squint. I advanced a step. It scurried up the tree, leaving a small shower of bark in its wake. It must have believed I planned to hold it up at gunpoint for its stored hoard of food. It was at this point that I abandoned my friendly overtures as a lost cause.
Now don't get me w
rong. I think squirrels are lovable, quirky creatures. They are fearless, speedy, and I'm sure, occasionally, friendly. But this squirrel was much more interested in racing around its tree, dashing across the grass, and generally looking busy than in enjoying the fall colors or making a new friend. And that's when it hit me. I act like this squirrel far too often. I race through life, intent of getting to work in time, accomplishing my list of goals for each day, too often failing to take the time to really listen to the person in front of me, to savor the freshness of the air after rain or the slow unfolding beauty of leaves changing from verdant green to shimmering flame. I ask for this wish to be granted, or that dream to happen now, when I am surrounded by the blessings of family, friends, a husband. I thought that God's answer was 'wait', when it was really 'wait and learn'. Savor this time, this moment, this array of blessings. Go deeper, further up and further in, unpack the treasures that I have given you.
rong. I think squirrels are lovable, quirky creatures. They are fearless, speedy, and I'm sure, occasionally, friendly. But this squirrel was much more interested in racing around its tree, dashing across the grass, and generally looking busy than in enjoying the fall colors or making a new friend. And that's when it hit me. I act like this squirrel far too often. I race through life, intent of getting to work in time, accomplishing my list of goals for each day, too often failing to take the time to really listen to the person in front of me, to savor the freshness of the air after rain or the slow unfolding beauty of leaves changing from verdant green to shimmering flame. I ask for this wish to be granted, or that dream to happen now, when I am surrounded by the blessings of family, friends, a husband. I thought that God's answer was 'wait', when it was really 'wait and learn'. Savor this time, this moment, this array of blessings. Go deeper, further up and further in, unpack the treasures that I have given you.
Starting down this path was like looking up and suddenly noticing the turning of the leaves. Wherever I go this week I am surrounded by fall beauty, burnt umber and auburn and dusky yellow and crimson flame. I realized that whatever God chooses to give or withhold from me in the future, I have enough. I could spend a lifetime listing God's blessings, and not reach the end. And I am learning to see past the dim outline of each gift, and discern behind it the love and wisdom of my Creator. I still see this only darkly at times. I wait for the time when I shall see this clearly, in the full light of day. But for now, I look up at the hillsides of trees turning ever brighter, and know that I am beginning to see. And it is enough.
