The Joy of Unfolding

One of my absolute favorite words is “unfold” and this great word can be found at the beginning of one of my absolute favorite scriptures, Psalm 119:130 (NIV). “The unfolding of your words,” it says,  “gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.” Your, here, meaning “God’s words. The words of Scripture.”

I first found this word while my older daughter, Candace Rose, was in college. On her way to class, she would call so we could catch up. In between the wind whistling and the background noises, I kept hearing one word roll through my mind. Yes, you guessed it—unfold. As she faced life decisions, I assured her it would “unfold.”

“Let it unfold,” I said. I’m sure she got real tired of hearing me say that, over and over again.

At the time, I’m not even sure if I understood how to do that, but now, it is beginning to sink in.

We live in the 21st Century. A day and age when we are constantly connected to something—laptop, iPhone, desktop, iPad, etc. Massive amounts of information are at my fingertips, literally. Instead of looking around at my surroundings, I’m typically looking down…at one or more of these gadgets, which have now become a vital part of my life, or so I think.

Don’t get the wrong impression here. I love being connected. I love being able to search the Internet, have immediate answers to questions, and most everything about these advancements in communication.

Yet, there is a downside. I forget to look up. To breathe in the beauty that surrounds me. To see life unfold before me.

The Joy of Looking Up!

If I am not careful, I will let life pass me by.

And, that, in and of itself, would be very unfortunate.

Life loves to unfold itself in front of us. Show off. Display its God-sized wonder and make us stop to say, “Wow.”

Over the next few posts, I want to join NBC’s The Today Show in sharing what inspires me, beginning with some remarkable women I have been privileged to meet the last few weeks. I want to share what makes me stop and say, “Wow.” Will you join me? Who inspires you? Why do they inspire you? What have they inspired you to do? To be?

Yesterday was the last of eight Tuesday morning Bible Studies (which occur every Fall), in which twenty or so women gather to share breakfast, study the Bible, and sit in silence to meditate on the lesson. I feel utterly blessed to be among these remarkable women.

Together, we’ve looked at the lives of Biblical women: Eve, Sarah, Rahab, Ruth, Hannah, and Mary. One common thread wove among them all: legacy.

Each left a legacy.

During our time of silence, I thought about that.

There, with feet dangling over the concrete wall along the riverbank, I soaked in the silence. Felt the crisp breeze off the water. Listened to the sounds.

Then, I looked up.

When I did, a “Wow!” moment unfolded.

There . . . away from the noise of my life . . . a raft of ducks swam by and unfolded a few moments of real beauty. They reminded me that we were built for community. For belonging. We need each other.

They are hard to see, but trust me, they are there!

Adding a simple fifteen minutes of silence to the day can make a world of difference. I’m going to start practicing.

I can’t wait to see what unfolds.

Please let us know what “unfolds” before your eyes! We will all be “looking up” to see.