DENNIS GINGERICH

It’s one of those songs stuck on “repeat.” Over and over for several days now. I keep hearing these words, “Everywhere I go I see You, everywhere I go I see You…everywhere I go I see You…” It all started when we began reflecting on the fact that it was our final full week of our four-month sabbatical. Michael W. Smith’s song “I See You” was playing in the background. I realized that song describes a thread through the entire last four months.

Salzburg, Austria –Never saw anyone else up above us on this ledge except this “guy” for a few seconds.

We have constantly seen God show up in our lives day after day, moment by moment. Sure. There were the over-the-top ways like leaving a wallet on a mountain rock at 12,000 ft. elevation and then having five of God’s angels hand-deliver it to you at 14,000 ft. It’s a great story …still being written in terms of it’s impact.

But there were many others too—perfect timing for a family member to find help and healing, a song, a Scripture reading, a parking spot, a tour guide sharing insight without us buying tickets or waiting for the next start time, meeting new neighbors in unlikely far-away places, a sudden weather change, precise scheduling without any planning on our part and way too many more to write. Linda and I frequently just looked at each other and laughed. Again? Can you believe it? God just showed up. He just winked at us one more time. Wow. Amazing. Amazing. Amazing.

I have a hunch that just maybe, God actually wants to show up in my life on a daily and consistent basis. But I’m afraid that I’m just too busy going down my “to do” list. I’m too preoccupied with life. I’m too stressed with situations. I’m too hurried by a crowded calendar. I’m just not taking time to tune my spiritual frequency to hear God’s whispers. How about you? Does worry and busyness also blind you from seeing God regularly in your situation and surroundings?

This Sabbath time, these last four months, have been good for me in many ways. We’ve clearly moved toward our four stated R’s. We’ve rested, recharged, retooled and reconnected. Reconnecting with God in the day-to-day little ways has been so invigorating. No huge new revelations. But just the constant reminder that He cares. About the big stuff. About the small stuff. I have nothing to worry about.

I’m reminded of Jesus’ serenity-giving words:

Female Rufous Hummingbird – McKenzie River, OR

That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

Wildflowers on the slope below Mt. Reynolds at Glacier National Park, MT

So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (Matthew 6:25-33 NLT).

My prayer today, tomorrow, next week and next month is that this song will continue to play continuously on the tracks of my mind and yours, “everywhere I go I see You, everywhere I go I see you”…

For more sightings of God and his handiwork…go to Gingerich PhotoArt