Snoqualmie is about as far away from a battle-zone as I could imagine, but sometimes just dragging a comb through my hair feels like a pitched battle. Little things can be hard. Little chores can wear you down. Little responsibilities, day in and day out. These things follow us wherever we go.
Last Sunday we had a baccalaureate service for the graduating high school seniors from the valley. I was sitting off to the side, listening to student after student talk about how great high school was, and how afraid they were to go into an uncertain future. Many of them talked about how God wanted to paint a picture with their lives, and how they wished God would appear in a burning bush like Moses and tell them just what colors to paint the world with. I remember feeling these things, too. I'm learning now, though, that after a while in the wide world you begin to realize: oftentimes, it's more important to notice what God has painted already. Notice, rather than worry so much about what we'll accomplish.
So I've been discovering the great beauty of simple moments. It sounds pretty hallmarky to say that, but it's true. A switch went on for me during a recent drive, where I stopped thinking about where I was going and thought to notice the color of the sky. And today, here in the office we discovered that you can type anything and your computer will say it in outrageous accents. Here are two of my offerings to the staff--
"Jan, please bring me a topical cream for my itchy area."
"Ashley can be a real pain sometimes. It's not enough that she's sloppy at her job. But she continues to harass me whenever she gets bored, and I think she has a lazy eye."
It's these sort of things that make the day to day become miraculous. Or at least, interesting.
so many new fun things to read. Chris you are so poetic and thought provoking. and weird. we are so lucky to have you
Posted by: sheri | June 11, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Chris, weird? Sheri, the thought never crossed my mind. Chris, what color is the sky?
Posted by: Susan | June 12, 2008 at 08:01 PM