I Saw God Today

Look at the birds of the air: They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. -Matthew 6:26

Catbirds, Puffins, and Cedar Waxwings

Bird watching has long been a hobby that our entire family has enjoyed. We often recall our various family trips most vividly based on the new (to us) bird species we saw there.

My wife has had her wedding ring cleaned or repaired a few times over the years, and has come to trust a small shop a good ways away from us (Direct Jewelry Outlet in Falls Church, VA – Great price, superb service, family owned and operated). We took a recent afternoon to run this errand, and as we walked from the car we noticed a gray catbird pecking at a juicy plum on the brick sidewalk. When we looked up we saw dozens of ripe plums hanging tantalizingly out of reach, and noticed other fat, happy birds hanging around the plum tree.

A memory came flashing back: We were awaiting the launch of a sightseeing boat out of New Harbor, Maine in hopes of seeing the Atlantic puffins of Eastern Egg Rock (We did. They were smaller than we thought, and in flight they called to mind bumblebees), and chose to spend some time at Pemaquid Point Light, the lighthouse depicted on the Maine state quarter. We climbed the lighthouse, admired the seabirds and the rocky coastline, tossed the baseball, and wandered over to the picnic area,  which was sheltered under a stand of Atlantic White Cedar trees. As we rested a great tumult began to take place above our heads. Hundreds of cedar waxwings filled the branches chirping, flitting, trilling, and gorging themselves on the fruit. It was an memorable sight.

Beauty Surrounds Us in Nature and in People

Ever since the creation of the world, [God’s] individual attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made. -Romans 1:20

The beauty and wonder that surround us is awesome in the profoundest sense of the word. But how often do we allow ourselves to be awed? George Strait had a hit titled “I Saw God Today.” Written by Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell and Wade Kirby, it tells the story of a new dad who begins to notice the little things despite the noise and distractions that otherwise inundated him.

Entertaining Angels

Yet our day-to-day responsibilities drive us, and we just don’t have time to stop. World class violinist Joshua Bell agreed to take part in a social experiment suggested by the Washington Post some years ago. For about forty minutes during the morning rush hour he gave a flawless performance on his expensive Stradivarius outside a Washington, D.C. Metro station. Video shows that of the 1,097 people that walked past him, twenty dropped some money in his case, seven paused to listen, and only one clearly recognized that this was no ordinary street performer. Who would expect to see a world class instrumentalist at a Metro station? And that’s the point.

We are each made in the image and likeness of God, and His divinity lies within us, be it a cold ember, a flickering flame, or a blazing fire. Jesus commends the righteous because “I was hungry and you gave me food, thirsty and you gave me drink,” a stranger, naked, sick, in prison and ministered to Him. He then condemns the unrighteous for refusing to do so. When they both ask when they saw him in need, Jesus replies, “As you did it to one of these least of my brethren, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:31-46).

St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta worked with the poorest of the poor and showed love and compassion to the “least of these,” the so-called untouchables of the slums of India. To her, each person she ministered to was “Jesus in that distressing disguise.” “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,” we are cautioned in Hebrews 13:2, “for some thereby have entertained angels unawares.”

I know he’s here but I don’t look near as often as I should. Yeah, I know I should.

So stop. Turn off the electronics. Look around. Prayerfully listen. Meditate on the divine and the sublime that surround you in nature and in people. Show hospitality, even (or perhaps especially) to the least of these. It might just be Jesus in His distressing disguise.

 

I Saw God Today © 2008 by R. Clawson, M. Criswell,  W. Kirby

Just walked down the street to the coffee shop. Had to take a break, I’d been by her side for 18 hours straight.
Saw a flower growing in the middle of the sidewalk, Pushing up through the concrete, Like it was planted right there for me to see.

Saw a couple walking by they were holding hands. Man she had that glow, and I couldn’t help but notice she was starting to show.
Stood there for a minute taking in the sky, lost in that sunset – a splash of amber melted in the shades of red.

I’ve been to church. I’ve read the book. I know he’s here but I don’t look – Near as often as I should. Yeah, I know I should
His fingerprints are everywhere. I just slowed down to stop and stare. Opened my eyes and man I swear, I saw God today.

Got my face pressed up against the nursery glass. She’s sleeping like a rock, my name on her wrist wearing tiny pink socks.
She’s got my nose, she’s got her mama’s eyes. My brand new baby girl. She’s a miracle. I saw God today.