As our family exits a busy season of life,
I'm so grateful for the new slower paced and spacious one we are entering into.
At times it felt like I was on the road more than in my new house.
It felt more like a hotel than a home. (insert Alvin and the
Chipmunk's version of "On The Road Again" except they sing it
"Can't wait to get OFF the road again!"
Memorial Day comes at the perfect time as we come
out of this busy time full of spring sports, birthdays, graduations, weddings,
and end of the school year celebrations to simply pause to remember.
Remember those before us and to remember those
following behind us. To treasure the joys of the busy season and mark
them as "INJOY" moments in my journal.
Our tradition of visiting gravesites on
Memorial Day does something to me. My worries which seem so heavy at times are
quickly put in perspective when seeing the evidence of how quickly lives come
and go.
On the way to the gravesite with our girls, we
suggested they ask their grandpa questions about his parents who came from
Germany. This spurred on a great conversation and a history lesson of the
Enzminger family.
Richness.
It personalized these decorated stones, making
their lives a part of ours. Because of them and the decisions they made, we
exist today. We have life! I had to ponder that a bit.
After we visited those we knew by name, we
challenged ourselves to find the oldest gravesite in the cemetery. While
the kids were jumping from one gravesite to another, reading dates etched in
the stone, I was distracted by a lady. I'd like to say we met eyes, but
she wouldn't look at me.
I couldn't get a clear good picture of the her
(the statue that rested above an old grave), but doesn't her posture give you the
urge to look up to see what she is pointing at? I'm sure I was a sight
to see. Good thing there wasn't a video camera around, because I found
myself looking up, looking back at her, and looking up again as if she was
telling me to look at something. Isn't that what we do when people
point? We look.
She couldn't speak to me, but I got the message.
Busy seasons make me very near sighted, only
seeing the frustrations and stress right in front of me. But take it from
a woman who has lived her life and rests in a cemetery in Star, Idaho, sharing
a message with those who care to pass by and notice.
Look beyond the moment, beyond the
disappointments, beyond the scary unknowns, beyond the betrayals, beyond the
stress of busyness, and LOOK UP. See beyond those things that weigh
us down and go from being near-sighted to far-sighted. Looking to the One
who sees us and knows us personally.
Don't look down at death below, but look up to
the One who has given us life abundant. This here is only temporary,
while above is true eternal life.
She points to the answer, giving us observers a
hint...a clue. Her body posture pointed me to Jesus, and I have to ask
myself, "What does my life point to?" Am I pointing to myself?
Like my girls would say when they were young, "Look at me! Look
at me!" When people look at me do they look up, knowing there
is Someone much greater than me? Do I wake up in the morning thinking,
"How can I point to Jesus today and point Him out to others?" Or
do I wake up near-sighted again with all the daily stress surrounding me.
This Memorial Day, may we all LOOK UP as
we remember those who have walked this road long before us and may we learn from their
lives, not taking our own for granted. And as we look up, may we point to
the Answer for those who are following our footsteps and looking up at us!
I'm thankful for this pause today, that begins a more restful season.
