A "moment"

This morning we (me and my oldest daughter) were driving down the road outside our house.  It goes over a bridge where a creek flows.  This bridge has always been called the"bump bridge" because it has provided us with many "airborne" moments because of the steepness of it and the size of our truck.

Well, a while back we had some flooding and a massive number of trees were stuck on the side of the bottom of the bridge - blocking a lot of the flow of the creek until they could be removed with lots of heavy equipment.  Within a few days of that, there was a crew working on the bridge - limiting it to 1 lane and then with 24hrs, there was a traffic light.  Now, we cannot go straight over the "bump bridge" but must wait for the traffic light to signal that we can safely cross in the 1 remaining lane.  This light can be frustrating, because although we were told that there was a sensor in the ground, it appears the light is on a timer - meaning even in the middle of the night or whenever, if there is no other traffic and the light is red, you still have to wait for the light to change.  Sitting there, grinding our teeth, tapping our fingers, complaining about the light and its waste of our time.  No work has been done on this bridge in weeks so we don't know exactly what is happening, but eventually i would guess someone is going to work on it or something.

All that to say this morning we were driving down the road and the red light at the "bump bridge" was on again and so, in spite of the fact that there was no one around us for miles on the road, we stopped.

But when we stopped, windows down, i heard something...birds.  They were singing their lungs out - it was beautiful.  I heard and felt the coolness of the morning air, damp after the recent rain.  It is that time of year that cool wind is like a cold drink of water on the beach - it is so wonderful.  The trees were so green, the leaves waving gently in the breeze.  The grass was so beautiful, striking in its color.  There was a peace and joy and simplicity there that called to me.  It reminded me that the things that are really important in my life often get drowned out by the rushing, even rushing over the bump bridge.  Were these colors always like this here?  Were the leaves waving?  Were the birds singing?  Have i missed them so many times?

Then something terrible happened.  The light changed to green.  Wait, wait, i can't go on, i can't cross the bridge and hurry off.  I want to stay - turn back to red again!  I want to take in the sights and smells longer.

Strange how that happens - the very thing that has antagonized me, that has frustrated me, that has dogged me - the epitome of the government disrespecting our time with this silly light - it became the thing that reminded me that all this loveliness and wonder and beauty is right there in front of me so much of the time - it would only notice.  I began to just thank the fantastic God who made not just the beauty of the world, but my ability to see, smell, hear and appreciate it - i invited Him into the moment...and my day has not been the same ever since!

If life as usual in this crazy American world of get, get, get, buy, buy, buy - always more and more and more, is bugging you - if you are looking to notice more - to see more, to smell more, to find more peace, joy, goodness - we would love to have you join us this coming Thursday.

We will be getting together at McAllister Recreation center, just off 20th and Schuyler Ave, Lafayette, at about 6:45 and then around 6:55 we will be driving to an outreach night - on these nights we do something to help someone else in our community.  We will be finished typically around 8:30.  All your family is welcome!  It is a great thing to get out of life as usual!

Hope to see you there!