What a trip!
.......and what I noticed....
Just returned from a wonderful trip to Alberta and British Columbia. First time visiting the west coast of Canada and it was so beautiful! So different from what I see every day in Southern Ontario. We were totally amazed by the mountains! They are just everywhere and so majestic. We found ourselves frequently saying, "Wow, look at that!". We were also blessed so much by the love and generosity shown to us by friends and family we stayed with along the way. As we were driving to the airport I found myself feeling quite emotional as I was thinking that I don't know if or when I may ever see some of those precious people again. I have often seen their pictures on Facebook, but it is not the same as being with them and sharing time and conversations, seeing the little ones and hearing their voices. Got me thinking about how being "with" someone is so much better than glancing at their pictures on Facebook. We really "notice" them. We see them as the people they are. Yes, it is wonderful to have technology like Facebook where we can share our thoughts and pictures, but it does not measure up to being there.
I was also struck by the things that you "notice" when you are really looking. When you see something for the first time you really see the beauty in it. I wonder if people who have lived near the mountains their whole lives still "notice" their beauty? Got me thinking about what I miss seeing in the familiar things around me. What do I "see". Do I see the beauty? Do I see what is not so beautiful? God SEES everything! Not just like a glance at a picture, but in an up close and personal way. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He sees our heart. He knows every painful thing that has ever happened to us and every thought we have kept as a secret to ourselves. He knows, He sees, He loves, He cares. He wants us to be people who "notice" what is going on around us. To notice what He is doing and to notice others. He tells us to "see" those in need and to help them. To love one another, and encourage one another, and notice those who could use a touch from Him, because we as His followers are to be His hands that give, His arms that reach out. I can become so wrapped up in my own little world, my own concerns, my own plans, that I don't always notice those around me. It's often not intentional, sometimes it is. I want to keep my eyes open to what He wants me to see. Then I want to respond, not just glance and then look away, but really see.