LOOK AROUND

“So, Mary, you liked the sound of the waves when it was really foggy?”

Did I ever.  It was way cool! 

“I am glad it gave you pleasure.  While you were gone, what did you smell?”

Smell?  Well ….. Hamburgers on the grill.  Oh, and the bread the Monk’s baked.  It had been cold and the flowers were not out yet.  Now that you asked, I don’t remember many smells.

“What about taste?”

The key lime pie!  It was more like a cheesecake and melted in my mouth.

“What did you touch?”

The cold water in the pool.  Some sunshine to warm the water would have been appreciated.  Getting in that pool was a real test of determination.  Once in, it did feel exhilarating.  Some people stuck their toes in and quickly pulled them out.  Of course, kids jumped right in. 

“What did you see?”

Wow.  Not that could be a long list.  Where do I start?  The sunrise and sunset blessed each day – except when there was all that fog.  The waves.  The children playing.  Watching people.  The alligators.  But, we could also see sorrow.  Hurricane Sally left people with damaged homes and those blue tarps meant there was much to be done.  Many businesses and churches were still closed.  Seeing sorrow is hard.

I have a feeling there is more, to our conversation, than having me look back at our adventure.

“Of course.  I want you to do me a favor.”

I would like to say, “Wow, God wants me to do him a favor.”  What I am thinking is, “Oh no.  Here it comes.”

“Do not fear.  I love telling people that:  Do not fear!  I want you to tell my people to look around.”

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God has surrounded us with amazing wonders and we do not notice them.  They blend in with our life.  Our routine.  Our normal stuff.

AMAZING WONDERS SURROUND YOU

You do not have to drive miles and cross the state line to be amazed.  You can find God’s wonders in your day-to-day life.

Where are you right now?  Close your eyes and listen.  What do you hear?  Birds?  The sound of cars?  The freezer?  The voice of a loved one or friend?  Maybe you hear the sound of weeping or the sound of a hospital.  Take a minute – listen – what do you hear?

Step outside or, if that is not an option, sit down and look around.  What do you see?  Trees?  Grass?  Flowers?  The color of the walls?  Books?  Slowly look, not a quick glance.  What do you see? 

Stay put!  What do you smell?  This is the hardest one.  Soooo, use your imagination.  How does it smell when dinner is cooking?  What does a baby smell like?  How does it smell during and after a storm?  What does a barnyard smell like?  What do you smell?

The next is taste.  What do certain things taste like.  A perfectly cooked steak.  Chocolate.  Coffee.  Pancakes.  Liver and onions.  Your favorite food.  A kiss.  What taste do you like?

And finally touch.  Walk around and touch a few things.  How do things in your normal, everyday life feel?  The feel of taping on a keyboard.  Clothes coming out of the drier.  A flower.  Touching the hand of a loved one.  A hug.  Holding a real book.  Washing your hair.  What can you touch?

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God has surrounded you with amazing wonders.  He has placed them right in the middle of your routine, normal, day-to-day life.  They blend in but you can notice them. 

Listen, look, smell, taste, and touch.  You   notice and you will realize you are surrounded by amazing wonders.