SEEING THE EXTRAORDINARY

Tag: slow down

  • Beauty in Chaos (Devotion 2.2)

    Finding beautiful things in the middle of chaos can be so meaningful.  This is one of the joys in this life.  When I am aware, I am searching for the hidden beautiful.  I say the beautiful are hidden, but actually they are in clear sight.  They are just missed, overlooked, and bypassed.  They are always there.  We just tend to see the over brush instead.  We miss the amazing and instead focus on the mundane.  At least, I do if I am not careful. 

    I try to slow down a bit, which is not an easy feat for me.  Actually, it is one of the most difficult tasks ever.  I try to do everything quickly so I can get to the next task – there are always tasks waiting, aren’t there?  Instead of enjoying moments as they come, I am already focused on the next thing.  I call it “preparedness” but it is really anxiousness.  It doesn’t help when people tell me to slow down and just enjoy.  That’s not natural and seems contradictory.  Let’s face it – it isn’t going to happen just because someone told me to.  I’m stubborn like that.

    Instead of pushing myself to slow down, I begin the hunt.  What’s right in front of me that I miss when I rush through?  What is it that I miss when I don’t take the time to breathe?  What is God showing me that I have chosen not to see because I have already moved on to the next thing?  What is my anxiousness preventing me from noticing?  

    There is the most beautiful trail I visit as much as possible.  There are water views, bridges, marshlands, crabs, birds, and so much more.  But do you know what catches my eye every single time I pay attention?  There are flowers growing in the middle of over brush which appear even more vibrant and beautiful than an entire bunch in a garden.  They are resilient and determined, appearing from out of seemingly nowhere to simply bring joy.  And when I look, I see.  They are the beauty in the chaos.  

    May you find the beauty in your own chaos today.  Walking carefully and searching intently reveals the most amazing creation.  Blessings as you tread lightly today.

  • Making Time to Breathe

    As this new year begins, there are quite a few changes.  I do not have to return to school this semester, which is probably the biggest change.  Because I spent so much time studying and reading and going to class, you would think I would have so much extra time.  You might even think I would have so much free time I wouldn’t know what to do.  I have already had many people ask what I was going to do with all my extra time.  The interesting thing is that there isn’t much free time…and I’m not sure how I survived with all I had going on.

    Last semester, I often thought of what I would do when I didn’t have to go to school.  The only answer in my mind was…breathe.  I can’t remember taking too many deep breaths in the last five years.  My schedule was so overloaded that I really don’t even remember relaxing at all.  Don’t get me wrong…it is not in my nature to relax too long.  I have to be on the move, doing something.  I loved what I did and wouldn’t change anything.  My experience in Seminary has been priceless.  But I had the desire to…just breathe.

    I looked at my schedule yesterday and it is packed.  I am doing things I wasn’t able to do when I was in school, but the calendar is still full.  I thought to myself…how did this happen so soon?  If I just had more time…or if I could just make the time to do what needs to be done…and…

    And then I heard Jonny Diaz’s new song, “Breathe.”  God has an interesting way of reaching us, doesn’t he?   I have to learn to slow down and just breathe…rest at the feet of Jesus.  His presence is in me…around me…if I will just take the time to…breathe.  He can bring rest to my overstressed life if I will just let him.  I don’t need more time.  I don’t need to “make time” even if I could.  Sometimes, I just need to stop, breathe, and listen to God speak…feel his presence…see his creation.  May I learn to…breathe.