Observations

After church today where we had a sermon about spiritual parents and the things that you can observe about the way people talk and live to discover where people are on their faith journey I was in a place of heightened observation. I went to the grocery store to get something to make for lunch. I loved watching the elderly couple all dressed in their Sunday best shopping together. He followed behind her carefully pushing the cart so as not to run into the back her her heel as she made frequent stops to smell and squeeze produce and carefully choose just the right one. I wondered if she even noticed how gentle he was about it all or if over the years they've just become so accustom to one another that they don't even notice anymore. I noticed though.
I noticed the young Mama's with their little ones, and how getting through the grocery store with them can be challenging. One Mama who was in a hurry, was holding the hand of her about 3 year old little girl, walking along at a pace just a step or two faster than those little legs could keep up with. The little girl tripped and Mama scolded her for being on the ground rather than noticing that she was just doing her best to keep up. I cringed. Not only because I saw it from a different perspective, but because I remember being that Mama. One so wrapped up in the to do and walking too quickly and scolding unnecessarily.

Later at the check out there was a little boy and his Father. Dad was paying for their purchases and the little boy was chattering excitedly at the prizes in the gum ball machines near the check out. "Dad, look at this!!! Dad, Dad, come here I wanna show you!" As the boy was chattering on, his Father was asking the check out gal for quarters for the machines. I was struck at what a simple joy that was. A quarter for some cheap plastic toy that he'll no doubt lose or break before the day is out, but at that moment it was the greatest thing ever. I loved that the Dad took the time to allow the boy to discover the excitement of the gum ball machines. Then I wondered how many times my kids did the same thing and I hurried them along and said no.

Perspective and observation are such an interesting thing. I wanted to stop that elderly couple and ask them how long they'd been married to glean any bits of wisdom from them I could. I wanted to hug the Mama walking to fast for her daughter to keep up with and encourage her. I wanted to cheer on the Father that was participating in his sons excitement of something simple.

Stages of life, we all go through them, we're all in different places and people will show us where they are if we just take the time to observe them. It's important for those of us who have been there to speak wisdom and encouragement to those who are currently there. It's important for us to take encouragement and guidance from those who are ahead of us. It's important for us to recognize where we are ourselves so we know what our role is.

Slow down friends, life is short, pay attention, don't miss a thing!