Sandra Heska King

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Monday Meditation: I Almost Missed It

April 11, 2011 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 and around me.

While He tries to capture my attention.

But I ignore it.

Ignore Him.

As I peck head down through my day.

Or rattle and crash through it like a runaway grocery cart in a parking lot.

Pay Him no mind.

When He longs to dance with me

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 did you see Him 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)

Note: Post plucked from the archives.

Linking with L.L. Barkat

On In Around button

And with Laura Boggess.

 

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Filed Under: stories and reflections

Comments

  1. kingfisher says

    April 11, 2011 at 10:39 pm

    Thank you, Sandra.

    Yes, there are many things we almost miss. (And probably a lot more that we really do miss.) And yes, sometimes we can miss them because we think we “ought to read our Bibles” more, or pray harder. (Though sometimes we are merely distracted by other events or pre-occupied with self. I rejoice with you that you “saw” God at work out in the fields.

    • Sandra says

      April 15, 2011 at 10:01 am

      Those “oughts” and “shoulds” and “dos” can get in the way of the “sees” and the “bes.” Thanks for stopping by!

  2. nance marie says

    April 11, 2011 at 11:19 pm

    cool 🙂

    • Sandra says

      April 15, 2011 at 10:01 am

      🙂

  3. diana says

    April 12, 2011 at 1:00 am

    Lovely, as always. I used way too many words today for LL’s site – some days are like that. Time to get the camera out again – you inspire me in that department. So thanks again.

    • Sandra says

      April 15, 2011 at 10:06 am

      Thanks so much, Diana. I loved your description of that church service.

  4. Cecilia Marie Pulliam says

    April 12, 2011 at 7:58 am

    I love your photos! And the reminder to look up once in awhile from our all so important work! I do make it a habit not to read during my bus commute to work. My trip takes me east, toward the mountains and across the river. Always a good time to watch the sunrise and see God’s beauty spread out in front of me. It isn’t so easy to loook up the rest of the day, but I need to.

    • Sandra says

      April 15, 2011 at 10:11 am

      Thanks, Cecilia. So glad you take advantage of the ride to watch for Him!

  5. Tami Heim says

    April 12, 2011 at 8:00 am

    Grateful you didn’t miss it so we didn’t either. LYI. Have an amazing new day!

    • Sandra says

      April 15, 2011 at 10:12 am

      😀

      LYIM.

  6. laura says

    April 12, 2011 at 9:46 am

    Oh, Sandra. I’m so glad you looked up. What a wonderful God-moment! I think the feeling of awe we experience when we look upon His creation is just a small taste of what we will feel on the day we stand before Him.

    Beautiful, girlie! Because you didn’t miss it, I get to see it too. Isn’t that awesome?

    • Sandra says

      April 15, 2011 at 10:13 am

      He’s awesome.

      You’re awesome. So blessed to journey and look up with you, my friend.

  7. Kim says

    April 12, 2011 at 3:14 pm

    Sandra, I came over from LL Barkat’s blog (again). I can relate to what you’re saying here. My blog post offering this week is also the result of looking up. On a purely mechanical note: Could I ask how you embed your name in your pictures? I think I’d like to do that. Blessings!

    • Sandra says

      April 15, 2011 at 10:17 am

      Kim, those photos are beautiful! I answered your question on your blog in case you miss this. I’m so far behind this week in responding to comments.

      • diana says

        April 15, 2011 at 11:19 am

        Well…I went over to her blog and couldn’t find your answer – I was watching for your response to this because I’d like to know how you imbed your name, too!

        • Sandra says

          April 15, 2011 at 12:29 pm

          Maybe the comment is waiting for moderation.

          Anyway, I auto edit my photos in Picasa. There’s an option for adding text (click on create.) I don’t know that it’s the best way, but I’m just beginning. I’m just using the online version and have not gone through any of the tutorials. Eventually, I’ll figure out how to fix, add text, and print out big. 🙂

          • diana says

            April 19, 2011 at 10:35 am

            Thanks for pointing me to Picasa- I had no idea all my blog photos were somewhere in one place! BUT I cannot find a ‘create’ option. Maybe I’m looking in the wrong place?? Any further clues would be appreciated – thanks!

          • Sandra says

            April 19, 2011 at 1:05 pm

            Pull up the photo. Click on edit–the one next to the little picture above the photo. That will give you lots of different edit options–auto fix, red eye, etc. There is another tab on that page called create. Click on text. Then you have a box where you can type what you want, choose a font, and then add. It will come up in the center of your picture. Then you can change the size, color, and whatever–and move it where you want in the photo. 🙂

  8. Anna says

    April 12, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    Hi, I found you through Seedlings. I love all the beautiful pictures of flowers. Fills me with hope and expectation of the upcoming spring, which hasn’t quite arrived in my area yet.

    • Sandra says

      April 15, 2011 at 10:25 am

      Hi, Anna. So glad to see you, and thanks. There’s hope in “riding” out the wait. 🙂

  9. Susan J. Reinhardt says

    April 12, 2011 at 9:39 pm

    Hi Sandy –

    I almost missed the pink willow blooms! How could I? They’re one of my favorite trees. Yet, my mind buzzed over other things. Like you, I’m glad I stopped and caught the Lord’s handiwork.

    Blessings,
    Susan 🙂

    • Sandra says

      April 15, 2011 at 10:26 am

      I can’t wait to share my tree photos Saturday. I caught amazing blooms high up and through the window!

  10. journeytoepiphany says

    April 13, 2011 at 12:36 pm

    Usually the things we almost miss are the very things the Author of the Book uses to teach us the most important lessons…

    • Sandra says

      April 15, 2011 at 10:27 am

      Better to be a near miss than a total one! 🙂

  11. Melinda Lancaster says

    April 16, 2011 at 11:51 pm

    Another beautiful post. There is nothing like marveling at the marvelous. Thank you for sharing your experience. LYI!

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in happiness, in kindness." ~ Mary Oliver in "Why I Wake Early"
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