A few months ago Ricky and I met up with some friends and
spent the night watching the best meteor shower I’ve ever experienced. On a retired blueberry farm located in the Ozark
Mountains, far away from city lights we circled our lawn chairs and positioned
our cameras for the show. There were so
many meteors falling from every direction.
The six of us sat, each looking toward the sky saying “There’s one.”, “Did
you see that one?”, “There’s another one.” etc.
To satisfy our curiosity, but mainly just for the fun of it, we decided
to count the number of meteors we saw in one hour starting at 11:00 p.m. As
streaks fell across the sky, one by one we heard “1… 2… 3… 4...” like a song from
a great symphony, usually from a solo voice but sometimes in two or three part
harmony. They were averaging one a
minute and the whole experience was quite amazing. But the highlight of the night was #42. When this light fell it was seen by all! I don’t remember which was louder, the one
word drawn out as we southerners do so well – “WOW!!!!“ or six voices shouting at once “42!!” It was a night I will never forget. Since that night there have been other
opportunities for night gazing and, while we have seen other falling stars,
there has yet to be another # 42.
This got me to thinking…
First - How can anyone look into the pitch black of night
viewing diamond-like gems sparkling at a distance that looks as if you could
reach out and touch them, yet realizing they are light-years away, and
not sing praises the God of All Creation?
Just lying back staring into the vast expanse is one of the most relaxing
things I know to do.
This got me to thinking…
Second - God’s wonders can be experienced at the same time in all places – just like His presence can be, too. At the same time that we were seeing # 42 in Arkansas, Elizabeth, my oldest daughter, could see it in Tennessee. God's blessings are not limited by time or space.
Third – Not every meteor shower contains a # 42. Those times are special gifts from God and are to be cherished. And I am so thankful that I got to, not only experience # 42, but share it with a special group of friends.
Today is Thanksgiving and as I am cooking and making preparations
to spend time with family I am reflecting on all the # 42s I have in my
life. I’ve refrained from participating
in the 30 days of Thanksgiving for fear of leaving someone/something important
out, but I have SO MUCH to be thankful for!
The brightest, shining star in my life has to be FAMILY, not
only my immediate family of Ricky and our three beautiful girls, but EVERYONE
that we call “Family”. If you are a
McCarley, Schmatjen, Pitts, married to one of these, or the child of one of
these you are family. If you are a
member of the Donald D. Davis Family or the Bill Milam Family, you have welcomed,
accepted and loved us as one your own and we call you family.
If you are a member of Lamar Baptist Church, you are family. And there’s even my “Sisters of the Traveling
Snake Boots” who continually share their knowledge, love and excitement for God’s
creation, capturing it in images to share with others through a passion that
has bonded us known as photography.
I extend to you all a sincere wish for a Happy
Thanksgiving. May the day be full of
blessings and reflections upon all God has done for you and those you
love. I remind you to cherish the moments
you have with your special ones for we are not guaranteed tomorrow but nothing
can take from us the memories we hold in our hearts.
