Recognition

As I sat in Starbucks reading the morning paper and nursing a latte, I could sense a prickly feeling.  I was being watched.  As I initially looked up, it was clear that nobody in the coffee shop was paying any attention to me.  As the feeling continued, I began to scan the scene more closely.  I almost missed her, a coy four-year-old girl peeking around the edge at me from the safety a sofa.  Her smile was incredible!  Even from 20 feet away, the twinkles in her eyes were filled with laughter and fun.  We danced in and out of each other's vision, having fun as only fathers can with little girls.  Even as her mother caught the action, the assuring smile that gave me permission to continue the game was intoxicating. 
I have not played this game for a long time.  Because of a short interaction that lasted a few minutes, I find myself hours later filled with familiar feelings of love, enjoyment, and bonding that are reserved exclusively for Whitney and Carli.  We played this game at one time.  Even as they have grown into young women, I find myself recognizing the emotions and attachment I have to our dialogue and shared journeys.  It is an incredibly good feeling, reminding me of what engaged living is all about.
I know far too many individuals that struggle to recognize this feeling.  They are on the other end of the spectrum.  The emotions are foreign.  They do not recognize the interactions.  It is an opportunity that goes by without notice.
It does not have to be this way.  We can be like the time when “there was a disciple in Damascus by the name of Ananias.  [When] the Master spoke to him in a vision: 'Ananias.'
 'Yes, Master?' he answered.”  (Acts 9.10)  He knew, he recognized, and he engaged in response to invitation that many miss without notice.
I was lucky today; I noticed.  God is found in the ordinary of our lives.  Today is filled with opportunities.  If you catch the moment, everything is possible.