I took my husband to work this past Friday morning. This is my first time doing this because it's about a 45 minute drive from where we're staying and it hasn't been necessary until now; but we had a lot to take care of, so off we went. A cranky, early morning threesome.
It's been awhile since I've been out and about in the world at such an early hour. We had to be up at 5:00 and out the door at 6:00. Oh the joy. I bet a lot of you are snorting into your breakfast right now because for you this is a daily routine. It used to be for me too but after almost a year of staying home with my baby girl, I've gotten a little spoiled.
Anyways, we're in that time of year where the mornings are a little darker and a lot colder. The streets were pretty bare and out here in the desert, everything lights up like a Christmas tree when it's dark. You can see a city come into view from miles away. It's beautiful. I forgot that about mornings. How peaceful and beautiful they can be.
Stay at home mom's (or any parent, really, regardless of their occupation...but alas, I have a point to make) don't get much of that; peace. We take a lot of crap for not holding down real jobs; for not having to stick to real routines like the working class. And yes, for not having to get up at the crack of dawn everyday. But as we rolled down the road and I admired the majesty of an early Friday morning, I think my hard working husband is the lucky one. Okay, I'm sure he probably wouldn't agree with me; and if you're from New York or a big city like that, your morning commute is anything but peaceful. But there are little moments of peace in any day if you look for them.
I can't tell you the last time I saw a sunrise. Not because I haven't been up early in a year; hello, I have a toddler who wakes up at all hours of the night. It's just that it's rare for me to have a moment of peace and tranquility. I'm used to squeals and cries. That's okay, it's part of being a mommy isn't it? We do it willingly and gladly. Our children add beauty to the world.
But in my day to day routine, I never stopped to watch the world. To see God's beauty. It seems that I am always asking for a sign from God, for a moment of clarity where I know I can feel Him...but I never thought to look out my window.
So that's what I did. I took in the changing hues in the sky; from black to dark blue to pink and light blue. I listened to a little country music and let myself be enveloped by that tiny amount of peace I felt. I thanked God for waking me up this morning; for giving me the chance to see at all.
It's easy to be wrapped up in worrying about the day ahead. The things you have to get done, mentally listing all the stuff you know you'll forget later at the store. But I tried to put everything out of my mind other than just paying attention to the road and appreciating the day at face value for what it was...another day to be alive. To see the world. To have another chance. That's what a day is after all. A chance to do more. To live one more moment.
My message for you today is simple. Take notice of the world around you. Stop and look for the small and simple things in life. Not all God's gifts are profound and obvious. Many of them are in our everyday routines. A family of deer on the side of the road. A daddy and daughter holding hands. A sunrise on your way to work that reminds you today is a fresh start.
There are a lot of ugly things in this world. A lot of hate, tragedy, and loss. But the beauty of the world is so much more overpowering. It's sometimes quiet and tranquil as opposed to the blaring horns of reality. But it's there. God is everywhere. And so is beauty. You just have to look out the window.
It's been awhile since I've been out and about in the world at such an early hour. We had to be up at 5:00 and out the door at 6:00. Oh the joy. I bet a lot of you are snorting into your breakfast right now because for you this is a daily routine. It used to be for me too but after almost a year of staying home with my baby girl, I've gotten a little spoiled.
Anyways, we're in that time of year where the mornings are a little darker and a lot colder. The streets were pretty bare and out here in the desert, everything lights up like a Christmas tree when it's dark. You can see a city come into view from miles away. It's beautiful. I forgot that about mornings. How peaceful and beautiful they can be.
Stay at home mom's (or any parent, really, regardless of their occupation...but alas, I have a point to make) don't get much of that; peace. We take a lot of crap for not holding down real jobs; for not having to stick to real routines like the working class. And yes, for not having to get up at the crack of dawn everyday. But as we rolled down the road and I admired the majesty of an early Friday morning, I think my hard working husband is the lucky one. Okay, I'm sure he probably wouldn't agree with me; and if you're from New York or a big city like that, your morning commute is anything but peaceful. But there are little moments of peace in any day if you look for them.
I can't tell you the last time I saw a sunrise. Not because I haven't been up early in a year; hello, I have a toddler who wakes up at all hours of the night. It's just that it's rare for me to have a moment of peace and tranquility. I'm used to squeals and cries. That's okay, it's part of being a mommy isn't it? We do it willingly and gladly. Our children add beauty to the world.
But in my day to day routine, I never stopped to watch the world. To see God's beauty. It seems that I am always asking for a sign from God, for a moment of clarity where I know I can feel Him...but I never thought to look out my window.
So that's what I did. I took in the changing hues in the sky; from black to dark blue to pink and light blue. I listened to a little country music and let myself be enveloped by that tiny amount of peace I felt. I thanked God for waking me up this morning; for giving me the chance to see at all.
It's easy to be wrapped up in worrying about the day ahead. The things you have to get done, mentally listing all the stuff you know you'll forget later at the store. But I tried to put everything out of my mind other than just paying attention to the road and appreciating the day at face value for what it was...another day to be alive. To see the world. To have another chance. That's what a day is after all. A chance to do more. To live one more moment.
My message for you today is simple. Take notice of the world around you. Stop and look for the small and simple things in life. Not all God's gifts are profound and obvious. Many of them are in our everyday routines. A family of deer on the side of the road. A daddy and daughter holding hands. A sunrise on your way to work that reminds you today is a fresh start.
There are a lot of ugly things in this world. A lot of hate, tragedy, and loss. But the beauty of the world is so much more overpowering. It's sometimes quiet and tranquil as opposed to the blaring horns of reality. But it's there. God is everywhere. And so is beauty. You just have to look out the window.