Look Up!

Last night, I made an impulse run to the Fresh Market, just about a mile or two from the house. It was one of those trips that really wasn't necessary. Like picking up a candy bar at the check out. In this case it was for pie. Yes, you heard me, pie.

As I drove down Washington Road with cars rushing to and fro, I looked up and saw something that almost seemed to stop time. To stop the crazy turmoil of life. There above me was a sunset so miraculous that I wanted to park the car and get out immediately. There was a front line that had been moving through and with the oranges and yellows of sunset accompanied with the deep blues and purples of the front, the view was insanely beautiful. When I finally reached my destination, I got out of the car and just looked up in amazement, in awe. I wanted to thank the earth for letting me see this. For this simple gift that within minutes would be gone to darkness. But, for now, it was ever-changing, miraculous!

Cars pulled in around me and parked. People shuffled into the store without even noticing the present they had been given, if only they'd just stop and look. I wanted to yell, "Look up, dammit, look up!" But, knew that someone would probably call the police if a man was so excited about the sky above him.

The distractions of our man-made world; the noise of traffic, bright lights, time-constraints, noise, etc., all keep us focused on the wrong view. We are given gifts from nature, from the earth every day. They help us cope. They give us wisdom. We just need to see and hear.