Fourth of July

Fourth of July. A momentous occasion in our history and a wonderful celebration filled with food, fun, and fireworks. Normally a great day for all. I grew up celebrating with family and going to see some great firework shows. This year, however, was different for me. It wasn't different in the fact that I still spent the day with my family and we went to see fireworks – supposedly one of the better ones in this area. What was different then? My perspective. A year ago, I left on the WR and I just don't see things the same way that I used to since traveling the world....

There have been several things that have come up on the way things are done in America or different things that I question. I don't know that I have any answers but there are things that I think about and ponder. How can I incorporate all the things that I have learned in the past year to life here in America? I'm not sure that I can, but I want to try. But mainly, I just want to continue seeking the heart of God... wherever that may lead me and whatever that might look like.

So last night as many people do on the Fourth of July, we went to see the fireworks. I spent the night with my niece in my lap holding my hands over her ears as she doesn't like the loud noise of the fireworks. We “oohed” and “aah-ed” at many of them and she was scared of the fireballs because they were too hot. All in all, it was a fun time with my family and a good show. But that is just it... it was a show. Behind all the fireworks the night sky was filled with stars. As the fireworks ended, my sister turned to me and asked what I thought (this was the first time I'd gone to these fireworks). I wasn't sure what to say about the fireworks because all I could think was that I would rather be sitting under the African night sky looking at the great expanse of stars we experienced there.

The show was over. The lights came on and everyone was up and heading to their cars. I remained seated looking up at the Ohio stars. Nobody else really stopped to look. My brother-in-law helps out with the fireworks so we waited at our car for him to be done with clean-up. I played with my niece some before I climbed up on the hood of the car to wait. As I sat there, I noticed everyone else was in a hurry to get home. I could hear the blaring of horns and people yelling, “Come on!” as they impatiently waited to get out of the line of traffic and get home. With a heavy heart, I laid back and looked into the sky. The stars had become brighter and more were visible. I felt alone. Nobody else was seeing what I was seeing... they were missing it! They missed the real show as I'm sure nobody else saw the shooting stars I saw.

As I watched, I couldn't help but wonder... what must God be feeling? Crowds of people gather and watch the fireworks in awe. They get up and leave without seeing what else is there. They don't see! It brings tears to my eyes and saddens me to know that God is watching and waiting... waiting for the day that people will SEE. That they will know and acknowledge him. He is not going to put on some show. But he is there. As I saw the shooting stars, I felt him wrap his arms around me. He loves me so much that He continually shows me that He is the same no matter where I am and he reminds me that the beauty I saw around the world, exists in Ohio too. God loves us all SO much and he is there waiting... do you see Him? Are you looking or are you too busy with your life to see how he is working behind the scenes? Because, he is there... whether we acknowledge him or not.