This morning at church our youth group shared their experiences during a recent service trip to the Dominican, where they had traveled to help build a two-room schoolhouse in the midst of one of the poorest parts of the country.
Part of their presentation included the sharing of their "Crystal Moments", moments that each of them experienced that caused them to -- as one of the young men defined it -- take
Part of their presentation included the sharing of their "Crystal Moments", moments that each of them experienced that caused them to -- as one of the young men defined it -- take
stock via a 360-degree survey of their surroundings; the sights, the smells, the emotions, the wholeness of that moment in time....
The beautiful things they shared offered cause for consideration of my own crystal moments of late. Here's one:
Last Wednesday while working at Tyndale, a new friend brought me a most scrumptious birthday lunch and several gifts. We spent my short lunch hour (45 mins, really) down by the creek enjoying lunch and each other's company before heading back to teach my afternoon class. I remember one moment just pausing to look up into the clear, clear sky -- noticing a few clouds dancing across the canvas... feeling the light breeze caress my cheek... I breathed deeply; crisp, cool air filled my lungs, and I realised how very, very lucky I was to be alive in that moment.
I gave thanks for the bright sunshine of that day, both the actual spring sun, and the metaphorical sunshine of a new friendship that was unfolding this day. I gave thanks for the stream, home to many salmon, that was close enough to walk to from my office. I gave thanks for the mental stimulation offered by my job at the university and by the emotional care offered by my colleagues there. I gave thanks for the delightful weekly interactions I get to have with the students and teachers at the school where I also teach part time. I gave thanks for the hugs of my two children -- happy, healthy, creative, charming little boys who will soon be 7! Then I inhaled once again and spread my wrap on the damp ground, sat down and devoured the delicious sandwich my friend had brought me!
Beautiful things, these crystal moments.
The beautiful things they shared offered cause for consideration of my own crystal moments of late. Here's one:
Last Wednesday while working at Tyndale, a new friend brought me a most scrumptious birthday lunch and several gifts. We spent my short lunch hour (45 mins, really) down by the creek enjoying lunch and each other's company before heading back to teach my afternoon class. I remember one moment just pausing to look up into the clear, clear sky -- noticing a few clouds dancing across the canvas... feeling the light breeze caress my cheek... I breathed deeply; crisp, cool air filled my lungs, and I realised how very, very lucky I was to be alive in that moment.
I gave thanks for the bright sunshine of that day, both the actual spring sun, and the metaphorical sunshine of a new friendship that was unfolding this day. I gave thanks for the stream, home to many salmon, that was close enough to walk to from my office. I gave thanks for the mental stimulation offered by my job at the university and by the emotional care offered by my colleagues there. I gave thanks for the delightful weekly interactions I get to have with the students and teachers at the school where I also teach part time. I gave thanks for the hugs of my two children -- happy, healthy, creative, charming little boys who will soon be 7! Then I inhaled once again and spread my wrap on the damp ground, sat down and devoured the delicious sandwich my friend had brought me!
Beautiful things, these crystal moments.
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