staring at nature. . .

i have had some significant moments in staring up at the skies lately, well within the past month. there are 3 particular ones that meant a lot to me. i tell you so that you are reminded as well. here they are:

one day on my day off, i decided to go to a movie by myself early in the morning. luckily i live close to one, so i decided to walk. little to my knowledge was that the day was calling for thunderstorms. uh-oh. so walking picked up as i saw the storms starting to fly down to my location. stopped in for a bite to eat and then to the theater. after the movie was over, i was in for the walk home, oh boy, in the middle of a storm. as i walked out, i was astounded. the storm had come and gone. but as i continued past the building, i saw an amazing site. it had only been a matter of minutes since the storm passed over top, and i was staring at the tale end of it. when i started walking home, it was as if the road i was walking on was splitting the sky from torrent thrashing of winded storms to peaceful, calm, colorful and sunny skies. i had this sense as if we had the opportunity to see that very same picture in out own lives, the after the storm as well as the oncoming beauty, we would have a different view of the storms we go through.

i relived college for a night. we went to see a movie late at night and didn't get out till around 3 or later, but again got lucky and looked up. it was sooooooo cool. i have always been astonished by the moon, but that night it seemed so bright. it was only a 3/4 moon, but yet in the open barely cloudy sky, seemed to be the 40 watt light bulb of the world. then i am reminded of how even in the darkest night, in the middle of what seems to be unending night, even a small glimpse of light, of hope, of mercy can be just what is called for, not a full pounding of beaming light, but just a clear picture of partial faith.

and of course the last one was the human response to a national holiday. a few days ago was our independence day, and on my way home after going to a friend's house, i had impeccable timing. the time i had left was right when the fireworks had started, so i got to see all of the fireworks going off throughout the metro area. it was pretty neat to see a whole bunch of different people, different areas, different lifestyles, different beliefs, different ideals taking time, just one moment to enjoy, celebrate and remember together. what is it about unity? even in something as simple as a fireworks show or the animals in the Lion King (can you tell what movie i just watched?), but such power and ability lies within the united force of humans, something that causes awe within me. we can gather together to cheer a team which is fun, but when we gather together to thwart evil or to assist those in need, or to fall to our knees in worship, how much more meaningful is that???

be amazed by creation, be amazed by the Creator.