I almost missed it.
Driving to a meeting last Tuesday evening, I glanced down at my dashboard. The odometer read:
99999.
As the next mile sped along, I keep watching for the exact moment the numbers switched to:
100000.
As luck would have it, there was a safe place to pull over and snap this photo of this silly moment.
But is it so silly?
A small unimportant moment opened my heart to the Important.
I paused for one brief minute and thanked God for having a reliable car. For times He kept me safe in the near misses and times I didn’t realize how He protected me. I was grateful for the too many times to count that the car turned over and started its engine – some thing I take for granted. For its heat in winter and the air conditioning in sweltering summers. For the moments of pure pleasure of singing along with the music at the top of my lungs. I thought of the headlights to guide me home in the dark. And felt grateful for the hands that built this car and changes its oil.
Pausing to savor a silly splice of life – is that sacred? I think it can be if you look for God even within fleeting simple moments.
Sometimes we have to force ourselves to treasure His presence in the huge landmark passages of time – a wedding, graduation, funerals or births – but we rarely stop to catch a glimpse of God in the minute details of life – the steam from my morning coffee, a wave of the hand from a neighbor, or something a trivial as the odometer turning 100,000.
The significant God dwells everywhere, even in our insignificant moments.
This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)
Thanks for the idea, Colleen. I will check that blog out!
Love this. You should check out Jenny at Just A Minute (you can find the link on my blog on my post Praying the Psalms). She does a meme on Tuesdays – 60 second Tuesdays – about finding the sacred in just a minute! God bless!
You know that is the verse for JUST WALKING. Thanks for the reminder of savoring the small moments. A good post. Love Clella
Karen it is one of my favorite verses. Johnnie, yes you have me beat and I don’t think I will push my Bonneville, though I love the car to that high of a mileage. You are the winner!
Thanks for your comments
Jeanie, I loved this! When my car is about to hit a milestone reading, I always make an event of it. I loved it when the kids were with me and we’d watch it roll over and if I was by myself, I’d pay attention to where I was so I could tell them about it. Such fun!
But I still have odometer bragging rights till you get to 255,000.
Wow, you really have put the miles on your car. Yes, I’m thankful God has kept you safe. I love that verse, too. Thanks Jeanie.