a choice

This past week I was in the middle of running intervals on the treadmill (blech), I know; I was listening to Gungor's He Makes Beautiful Things...I hit this moment where I wanted to quit I just decided not to do so. Then I totally felt the Lord opened my eyes to 3 different things happening around me.

#1

I looked over on the elliptical machine and saw this guy almost dancing on the machine, I recognized him from the day before. It was clear then that he is mentally handicapped. You couldn't miss his movements, they were playful, he was having a blast on that machine! He had the biggest grin on his face and was finding joy in the moment! this made me smile.

#2

I turned back toward the window and saw this older gentleman being led across the parking lot by a young guy. The older man had a cane and clearly needed help. He was taking baby steps, slowly making progress to his destination. I looked closely, they men were laughing. Both sharing a moment; both smiling. this made me smile.

#3

Then I spotted a toddler standing beside a car with his mom, extremely protesting about something! The mom stooped down and gently put her hand on his face, smiled and hugged the tiny. I don't know what words were exchanged but he calmed down and wrapped his arms around her. this made me smile.

the words to Gungor's - HE MAKES BEAUTIFUL THINGS say this ::

All this pain
I wonder if I’ll even find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make beautiful things

you make me new, you are making me new

For me it was a divine moment. It all happened in the span of not even 5 min.

it was life set to music. the obstacles in these people's lives weren't hindering them(in that moment) :: in spite of their circumstances they were all making a choice; not to despair.

the guy on the machine, was choosing life & joy, whether he was aware of it or not. he didn't care who was looking or what they thought. he was in the moment.

the older gentlemen chose laughter in spite of how much assistance he needed, he couldn't do it on his own, and found joy in another's company.

the mom chose patience and self control when clearly should could have lost her cool and demanded what she wanted out of the moment.

So much of mothering or life for that matter, is existing in the moment, paying attention to the choice I make no matter the circumstance. Lately for me, its being self aware enough that I constantly listen to the nudging of the spirit.

This miniature span of time was totally God given for me. Its about that milli-second moment when I make a choice :: not to quit, or choose joy, or laugh instead of feel discouraged, or offer grace, or show self control.

I am grateful.

Now just to pray for strength & wisdom to make the right choice; and grace and forgiveness when I don't!