My wild kittens wait for me to catch up to them and then they race forward again. It’s a game they play, teasing me, making me think they will one day let me stroke their black fur. Their mother, who does sometimes allow my attention, stays a little closer to my steps during my evening walk through the fields, yet the draw of the wooden fence posts are too much for her and she jumps to the tops of almost every one of them. As I pass by her perch, she jumps down and runs forward to the next, climbing high. The honk of geese encouraging each other to the pond I just walked past makes me turn back, to see them fly across a golden sky.
I see my gift. I stop and take it all in.
My cat, black as night, sets atop a post, almost a head taller than me. She looks down at me and I look past her, to the sliver of the moon, with a star and a tiny planet keeping it company as the sun slips further away, casting streaks of fiery colors across the night sky.
(Photo credit: Luis Argerick)
I wish I had my camera. It would have made a perfect shot. But I walked out into the evening without my cell phone or camera.
Many times, I’ve seen things and wanted to capture it, possibly to remember the event later or to share on my blog or Facebook. I fumble for my camera, only to be disappointed that I missed the moment or that my camera’s limited capabilities can’t truly capture the beauty that God is showing me. The moment is gone.
As I stood there tonight watching the moon, my cats, and listening to the night’s song, I thought about what God was giving me.
Very clearly I heard Him say, “This is just for you, this moment, this view, this experience. Don’t worry about trying to capture it for later, it’s for right now, enjoy it.”
Be still and know that I am God….Psalm 46:10
So often we race through an experience, thinking of how we will word the Facebook or Twitter update. How can you describe this moment in 160 characters or less? If more words are needed, we consider doing a blog post. We want others to experience what we did. We want them to be just as moved as we were by the moment.
Yet God speaks to individuals differently. How He speaks to me will be different than how He speaks to you. What moves me to a closer walk or awareness of Him may not have the same effect on you. We need to understand that, accept that some moments are just for us, no one else.
So stop, if not physically then mentally, spiritually, and know Him. Experience fully the gift He is giving you. Listen to His voice and close out all distractions and thoughts of who you want to tell about what just happened. Let His wings wrap around you in a heavenly hug.
This moment was meant just for you. Savor it!
As I walked back to my house, the frogs were singing loudly and the kittens were tired. They would still run ahead, but this time they would stretch out on the dirt path and catch their breath. I almost got to pat one, but he found his second wind and leaped away. The lights from the house were a glowing welcome, but when I stepped inside, I missed the cool of the evening.
I went on through the house and headed to the front porch and the swing. The sun was nearly gone and the Milky Way was starting to appear. I thought about this post and finally God allowed me to form the words to share some of what I was given with you, but only as a reminder to you.
Be still and know Him. Accept His gifts, those beautiful moments that just WOW you, as something for only you, the child He loves.
