The Dock

Uncertainty is the day after you fell in a lake. You crashed through a rotten board in the dock.

You had no idea that the supports under the dock were rotting, and you didn't even know that was possible, and you'd walked on that dock every day for years.

The next day, even after that section has been repaired, you start to look at every dock and you see rotting supports under it. And you lose the joy of walking out and sitting with your legs in the water and enjoying the peacefulness.

Background

This fall morning the sky is cloudy, but the first rays of sun turn it a rick grape-harvest purple. Amazing.

Do the trees, dark and only visible in shape, mind being just the background? No, they know that when the wind comes, they will dance. When the morning light comes, they will burn with color. And they will stand, constant, proud, still there when tomorrow the sky chooses a new set of clothes.

Treasured

If you are special to God, then you are that special seasoning that a cook picked up in a little ethnic market. And the cook always knows where to find it in his cupboard, and he goes out of his way to make a dish that goes best with it. And he doesn't like to share that dish, because nobody else appreciates it the same way.

Recognized

If you are special to God, then you are the one seated at the table off to the side of the stage. Your best friend is there, up front, and he's speaking to everyone, but then he breaks into your world and lets the crowd know that you and he have a special friendship and he is grateful for who you are in his life.

Enjoying You

If you are special to God, then you are a child on a playground, and you just landed roughly in the sand because you tried to spin around the trapeze swing and you actually made it. Your wind is knocked out of you, but you're so pleased with yourself for having actually tried it and nailed it.

And you look over across the yard to see your father, and you weren't trying to get his attention, but he had his eye on you and you see that smile and the proud tilt of his eyebrows and you know that he's been spending his time enjoying you.

Held

I dreamed I was in a high school cafeteria. As I walked past a group of boys sitting at a table, I reached out my hand to offer one of the boys a high five. But instead of a clap, I was held in his grasp. I interrupted my walk to see what was going on.

At the table were seven freshman boys. Each one was reaching across the table to grab another's hand. The whole group was connected together in caring and support, and they extended their spirits to me.

Unique

If you are special to God, then you are last night's sunset where the purple ring of clouds will never appear again just that way. So you marvel as you watch it from your car and give thanks that you had the chance to see it, a kiss from God as you set behind you the day's cares.