And then it happened!

"If at first you don't succeed, Try. Try again."

Well, I tried another stint of sitting on the deserted porch again. Nursing a hot cup of coffee made the time seem a bit more digestible and then it happened. In the calm of listening to the stream gurgle, I heard Chickadees calling and several noisy Blue Jays squabbling over something. As I chuckled to myself, a flash of white to my left caught my attention. There in as much majestic beauty as I have ever seen was a Bald Eagle gliding upstream. Her silent flight took my breath away and then I fumed. 'Crap', I didn't have my camera nor was I able to get a picture of this national treasure. In a moment of dejection, I was kicking myself and then it happened AGAIN.

I immediately exhaled and said to myself (with my internal voice) "Wow, I just saw a Bald Eagle!" I smiled and relaxed in the moment and didn't feel guilty that I hadn't snapped a picture of the raptor. I relished in the truth of having the video image stored away in my brain. In fact, since yesterday, I have replayed that video in my mind 20-30 times. The fluid flight of the bird, her white head and tail feathers, and the silence of the moment keep running. And then it happened again.

In relenting and ceasing to run endlessly to the next project or planning session, God blessed me with just a smattering of beautiful things. It got me to wondering how many blessings I miss because the urgency of the day clouds the solitude of the moment. The soft pitter pattering of the stream could lull one to sleep if you'd let it. Then again, the Jays would bring you back to life with their spirited discourse. And just when one considers the loud brash Jays, you hear the soft melodic song of the Chickadees in the background. Paying close attention to all the rhythmic sounds of nature is best accomplished when one is still. Mary understood this principle and Martha, my fourteenth cousin twice removed, did not.

"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened

her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But

Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord,

don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,”

the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary

has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42, NIV)

As much as I enjoy high-energy living. As much as I thrive on moving and shaking new days with new ideas, there is great value in times of reflection and respite. I give thanks to God for the beauty of the earth, for loud Jays, soft Chickadees, and silent raptors in flight. My heart takes great joy in all and sings a song of thanks to the Creator of it all.

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the

LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of

your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; (Psalm 37:4-7, NIV)

How about you, are you listening and watching with great intent? Are you seeing some of the same works of art that I see? I hope so! If it can happen to me it can happen again for you.

(Stock photo from: www.bing.com/images)