Looking Up

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.