Chasing God's Reflection

And the happy life is this: To rejoice in You. To rejoice for you. To rejoice because of you. I say it again: Life is joy in You, who are the truth, O my God, the light of my soul, health of my body!

Those who think there is a different way to find a happy life are pursuing something quite different from happiness--how sad that they do not even realize it. It is true they will find some reflection of joy. But they will not find the true thing, and in the end they will be sadly disappointed, as I once was. Augustine, Confessions 10

I was thinking of the truth and beauty of Augustine's words yesterday as I sat in the quiet. I was remembering Saturday night and how Elaine and I raced all over the golf course across the street looking for that perfect shot of the Big Moon......She was my human tripod. She calls herself my camera caddy. And she doesn't mind a bit......As darkness closed in she said, "Let's go and find the water so we can get a shot of the reflection."

A bit further, and we found it. I balanced the camera on her shoulder and she clicked away on her IPhone......it was magnificent, and yet, it wasn't the reflection itself that held us captive, it was what it was reflecting that continued to turn our eyes upward.

We can get so caught up in the reflection of God through all the wonderful things He has made that we can actually miss God Himself. Augustine was right. And yet, as Elaine pointed out, the fact that someone created all this times doesn't factor in to many folks pattern of thought. Their minds don't go there.

Why did I? Why did she? Why do any of us?

Therein lies the whole miracle of the conversion experience.......And how could I not be bursting with Gratitude each and every day. It humbles me to the point of silence.....

And He did it all for us, "See, what I made you......" Everything we see around us is a reflection of His love for us. His hope is that we will look just a bit further. To lift our eyes to Him so that we may not only know Him, but be One with Him through Jesus.....

My list continues........Big beautiful moons that take the breath away......a garden springing to life......still cool mornings for which I am oh so grateful......a great follow-up conversation with our girl Heather.....another week to worship with the fellowship of believers.......another great lunch after church.....watching Mama feed her baby bird while taking a break at work......answered prayers as I looked back on my journal of two years ago......another day off! #877-887