Stop. Look. Listen. Live.

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So, my daily devotion is a bit later today than usual because this morning I attended my littlest boy's kindergarten graduation celebration.  I was among the nearly two hundred parents and grandparents who gathered to watch the kindergartners sing and be recognized by class.  

 I was also one of the obnoxious parents who wormed his way down front to snap some photos and take a video or two.  Sue me.  It's been sixteen years since my biggest boy "graduated" from kindergarten, and seven years since my middlest boy celebrated his. 

 It struck me today that this is the last of the kindergarten celebrations in our house until (many years from now) there are grandkids to celebrate.  

 Life happens when you're not paying attention sometimes.  

 Seriously, you blink and your kids are grown up, and I am told the same is true for grandkids.  After my six year-old's celebration, my twenty-two year old son and I went out to breakfast.  For some reason, I just wanted to push back against the schedule and share a moment with him.  

 We talked about basketball, football, school, girls, life... It was blessed time.    

 As I pondered all of this today, I thought of a verse in the book of James:  "Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."  

 There is so much beauty in the world to see if only we would pause, take a breath and just take it all in.  There are so many holy moments to be experienced--everywhere, all of the time if we will just push back against the demands of life and embrace them.  

 Sure, the cable news channels would have us believe that the world is going to end at any moment.  But maybe we should all resist the urge to help them sell more advertisements by shutting off the TV and taking a walk, or sitting down to eat a leisurely meal with friends and family.  

 Wherever you are when you read this, I want you to stop for a moment and just look around you.  You might be in a cubicle, or waiting in line for something.  You might be rushing on your way to next thing.  Just look around.  Find something beautiful in the moment.  Find someone to share it with, and cherish the gift of life.  

 And may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and always. Amen. 



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