Blink: I Almost Missed the Sunset

It's been a good week...

a week of sun, wind and waves. 

A time to pause and refresh and reflect.

I listened to my favorite music,

read from my favorite authors,

stood in awe at the magnificent handiwork of God 

and His creation

and I asked Him to speak to me.

Mr. H and I were able to enjoy 

a dinner cruise on The Spirit of Harbor Town

at Hilton Head Island.

This was big time for me!

The closest this GA girl has been to a cruise 

is my daddy's fishing boat.

I'm a little hard of hearing, 

ok, a lot of a hard of hearing,

and I barely heard the captain 

say,

"Look to the right and you'll see the sun set."

We'll, it was my left and over my shoulder.

(You know Mr. H doesn't like his back to anything.

Is that a man thang?)

Turned around to see this.

A blink...

it was this.

Another blink...

it was gone.

I have been reading and reading again

the book, 

Mended: Pieces of a Life Made Whole.

This book spoke volumes to me this week

during my quiet moments of reflection.

I found the most simple and yet profound

thoughts in the chapter, "Blink."

Have you ever tried to get the perfect shot

of your child, 

the perfect expression, 

the perfect moment

and click...

 the shutter was too slow

and you missed it...

Blink and it was gone.

There are blink moments in life.

Never underestimate the power of a blink.

I thought back to some of my blink moments...

A baby brother who loves his big sister, trusts her completely,

says one Sunday afternoon, 

"Will you play with me?"

Blink...

A screech, a "What was that?"

Blink...

"He's gone."

Blink...

Three friends sitting in a locker room 

singing, 

"Try a Little Kindness"

Blink...

Daddy prays, mama laughs, we all laugh

Daddy keeps on praying, 

Blink...

A baby, "It's a girl."

Peaches and cream and a love like no other.

Blink...

"It's a boy!"

"Oh no, we've got a bleeder!"

Blink...

A little boy playing with the big guys, 

rounds third and slides home, SAFE!

Blink...

A five year old girl says, 

"Mommy can I invite Jesus into my heart?"

Blink...

A thirteen year old boy listens intently

at a GA Youth Camp and with tears flowing

down his face says, 

"Mama, do you think he's talking to me."

Blink...

A six year old sings, "I Choose to be Happy."

Blink...

Fast forward 13 years, she stands before thousands

and sings, "Holy is the Lord."

Blink...

Memorial Day and I can't get there fast enough

Blink...

Blink...

More blinks...

Daddy's eyes close in death...

Blink...

My baby boy holds up his baby boy with tears 

streaming down his face saying

through the window, 

"He looks just like me!"

Blink...

Mama's pain gone.....

 But after 3 years,

I can't blink away the pain...

A week with my husband, 

laughter, 

sweet hugs, 

and back rubs.

Blink...

Angie Smith said, 

"There are many, many pictures I want to rip up 

and hide...maybe you do too.

But that shouldn't consume me.  

Rather, I want to focus on the beauty of this gift

that the Lord has given.

It is the gift of this breath, this moment, this photograph.

Not one of these-not one-is missed by His eyes.

We don't skate out of view and hope He

catches up with us down the road.

He is ever present in every single breath,

and while I don't understand the mechanics

of how it is possible, I can say that I am 

grateful for this spectacular love."

One more blink

and I may have missed the sunset...

Take a few moments to write down your "Blink" moments.

Angie asks that we meditate on the fact that 

the Lord has been with us through every one, 

and there is nothing that He can't redeem for His glory.

I must believe that!

Don't Miss the Sunset!

bonnie:)