Sandra Heska King

daring to open doors

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I Almost Missed It

April 16, 2010 By Sandra Heska King

I almost missed it.

Nose in Bible. Pen in journal.

But I looked up. Out into the field.

And watched a male turkey try to gain the attention of several females.

Who paid him no mind.

He fluffed. He fanned. He followed.

Back and forth. The caboose on the train. The shovel in the parade.

At one point a second male approached the front of the line. But the females just veered to the right leaving both males stranded. I thought there’d be a fight. But no. Both males just looked kind of resigned, and male #2 eventually went his own way while male #1 continued the dance.

In gentleman fashion.

While the females pecked at the ground.

Ignoring him.


I almost missed it.

Just like I often miss the majesty and splendor God parades before me and around me. Or simply ignore it. While I aimlessly peck head down through my day. Or rattle and crash through it like a runaway grocery cart in a parking lot.

While I pay Him no mind.


I almost missed this.

And this.

And this.


And these.

I almost missed the opportunity to marvel at the marvelous.

To wonder at the wonderful.

I need to slow down more. I need to look up more.

I don’t want to miss it.

I don’t want to miss Him.

Where have you seen God today?

“What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all with wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations.” Psalm 104:24 (Message)

Copyright © 2010 by Sandra Heska King

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Comments

  1. Chantel says

    April 16, 2010 at 11:11 am

    awww. to behold the beauty of the Lord- the pictures are ravishingly beautiful. they are breathtaking- God's personally signned art, in our backyards, for free.

  2. S. Etole says

    April 16, 2010 at 1:46 pm

    I see Him when I come here …

  3. Jeff Jordan says

    April 16, 2010 at 4:17 pm

    Love the tulips…don't want to miss Him either…nice reminder.
    Jeff

  4. Sandra Heska King says

    April 16, 2010 at 6:32 pm

    @Chantel: "Personally signed art." I love that!

    @Susan: Awww. That's my prayer.

    @Jeff: Thanks. Tulips seem to be the flower of the day.

  5. caryjo says

    April 16, 2010 at 9:11 pm

    And, yet, today I operated in the basic of basics, hiding in my office most of the day… reading, thinking. So… TOMORROW it will be different. I promise!

  6. Sandra Heska King says

    April 16, 2010 at 10:04 pm

    He's in the reading and the thinking, too, caryjo. Breathe Him in!

  7. Tim Moss says

    April 17, 2010 at 4:48 am

    Sandy, I so much enjoy reading your posts! This past week, I was working in the back yard, clearing debris from the storm damage 2 years ago. I cut the vines that were trying to choke the fig bushes ( I got a nice case of poison ivy on my arms….but it will be worth it when I am able to enjoy the fresh figs and fig preserves) and seeing the flowers and blooms popping out as spring arrives. Last year I was unable to work in the yard, so all the "weeds" that are normally cut were allowed to live. The blooms and greenery that grew was so beautiful, prettier than any store-bought plants. And this past Wednesday as I took a break from working, I sat motionless in the Adirondack chair in the yard….a dozen birds flew around me looking for bugs and seeds to eat. God's gifts to us are amazing, if we just take the time to watch for them. Sandy, thank you for your gift to us.

  8. Sandra Heska King says

    April 17, 2010 at 8:06 am

    Tim, this is awesome. A perfect picture of fruit and beauty that can follow life storms and things that try to choke life.

    And what you would have missed had you not rested.

    A real WOW!

    Plus you made me cry. Thanks so much for commenting.

  9. Warren Baldwin says

    April 17, 2010 at 9:43 am

    God provides amazing images all around us every day, just like you describe here. We just don't want to miss them!

  10. Glynn says

    April 17, 2010 at 9:44 am

    I have to ask this.

    What happened to the turkeys?

  11. Sandra Heska King says

    April 17, 2010 at 10:17 am

    @Warren: Thanks for dropping by!

    @Glynn: Well, I finally had to go in, so maybe everyone got tired and went home. One can only imagine. I saw one lone female out there yesterday.

  12. Billy Coffey says

    April 19, 2010 at 9:32 am

    How I loved this reminder, Sandra. Your pictures, too. It always feels like spring when I come here.

  13. Sandra Heska King says

    April 19, 2010 at 12:35 pm

    Awww. Thanks, Billy.

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