Discovery

I can remember the scene as if it was yesterday.  Carli is almost three.  Cherry is pregnant with Whitney.  It is a sunny Florida evening and everyone is watching a friend’s daughter’s team play softball.  Everything is in amazing balance!  The weather is warm without being muggy.  The teams are competitive without wanting to kill each other.  Even parents and friends watch in a spirit of support and love.  I cannot think of anything marring the scene.  David turns to me and says, “It doesn’t get much better than this.”
 
At the time I wondered, “Really?”
 
Looking back on the scene I now recognize heaven on earth.  Compassion and caring are taking active precedence over justice and competition.  Love and mercy are more important that status and power.  Everywhere one looks the child wins.  At the time I wondered.  “Isn’t there more than this?”  If only I recognized the priceless gifts I held in my arms, heart, and mind. 
 
This week I have faced a series of questions echoing a common theme.  How do, will, or can I recognize God?  The question isn’t new.  In ages past Jesus faced the same.  His answer links into today’s response. 
 
“The man said, ‘Point him [God] out to me, sir, so that I can believe in him.’
 Jesus said, ‘You're looking right at him.  Don't you recognize my voice?’
 ‘Master, I believe.’”  (John 9.36-38) 
 
It may seem hard to find God in the chaos we call life.  Yet God is here.  God is actively and wonderfully engaged in the midst of the pain, exploitation, and abuse.  I can see the tears of engaged compassion from the God I know, love, and cherish.  Where can you find her/him?  God is found in the following;
 
The voice of a child saying “I love you”,
 
The tearful eyes of one receiving the unexpected gift of acceptance, mercy, or support,
 
The mother, father, aunt, uncle, or friend being hugged by a child they care about more than life itself.
 
God is here, now.  Are we ready and willing to discover, experience, and be?