A Foggy Perspective (Devotion 2.5)

I am always amazed at how small changes can make such a large impact.  You don’t even notice when it happens.  A perspective change happens in an instant, almost in a stealth and undercover way.  This morning, it happened.

I was walking the trail and things looked different.  I have spent time on this trail and know it fairly well.  I have spent time walking intentionally, not just hurriedly passing through.  But today, my perspective changed.  The fog had settled in and decided to take a respite in the thick of the trail.  It was still absolutely beautiful as ever. But it seemed like the tide was lower or the marsh had grown substantially all of a sudden.  It was odd and caused me to pause to take it all in.  It was as if I was walking on a different trail.  After a while, I proceeded on.  Once the fog decided it was time for coffee and moved on out, it all returned to what was familiar.  Nothing had actually changed except my perspective.

When I am walking the trail on a normal day, I look out.  I admire the water and the trees which bank the shores.  I watch the egress search for food.  Minnows swim in schools and seem to grow even more.  But what I was missing was right in front of me.  I was looking beyond the present.  I was looking far off at the joys which the vast river held.  That was not a problem.  But I had missed the marsh right in front of me.  As the fog held close, my distance was obscured, forcing me to see what was right before me.  And it, too, was beautiful.  It was like staring into a new land.  It had been there all the time.

As I traveled on, I was reminded of how we do this in so many parts of our perspective.  We are so busy worrying about what is far off, what is to come, what may happen, what may be out there, that we miss all that is right before us.  We create anxiety and worry about tomorrow when today holds so many joys and celebrations.  There are so many wonders which fill our vision but we have decided to focus on what is outside of our reach, even when it is good.  A little fog can change it all.  

Today, the fog changed my perspective and I saw the joy of today.  I saw the beauty right before me.  I saw all of creation which was here and now.  I saw how today is a gift not to be bypassed for tomorrow.  Don’t miss it.  Today’s fog is pointing you to the glory before us.  Thanks be to God for fog.