As I pulled out of our weekly Mennonite men's breakfast, I landed immediately behind a school bus. After the third stop, I began to think about how late I might be to work. As the bus continued to lead the way down my normal route, I caught myself becoming slightly frustrated. Where was this frustration coming from? If I had taken the time to reflect, I may have remembered that Wednesdays are one of the few days I even have the privilege of driving a car and normally, as a bus rider, these types of scenarios are completely out of my control. Then it happened. My reminder to live. As the school bus slowly approached what seemed like the hundredth child on their way to school, it quickly became apparent that this child was excited. Upon closer look, this girl of six or seven years old was seriously breaking it down. It was a cold, grey morning in upstate New York and there was a slight snowy drizzle looming overhead. The girl danced away. As I stopped and watched in amazement from behind the bus, the excited girl slowly danced her way onto the bus all the while waving her arms back and forth and smiling from ear to ear. It was in that moment that God reminded me to live every moment with a reckless abandon. Dance. Music or not, just dance and celebrate life in every moment. Celebrate for what it is- life. The music of life and love that is normally in my head returned thanks to that little girl. How had I so quickly forgotten? I marvel at the situations and people that help bring and grow God's kingdom here on Earth. I will not soon forget the many blessings that happen in our neighborhood that effect me in a positive way- in turn effecting those that I come into contact with- especially on this particular Wednesday morn.
Philippians 4:6 says this, "Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks."
How often we forget those last three words.
