Allen Macartney
Guest Columnist

It was the most amazing half hour. At least, that’s what the little girl thought. Who would have guessed a trip to Mr. Lube could be so exciting? Yet there she was, in absolute wonder and awe-struck delight.

As air guns blasted off rusted tire bolts and hoses throbbed, pumping oil into hot engines, her eyes stretched wide with wonder. Action pulsated around her. And when someone brought her hot chocolate, well…she couldn’t have dreamt it better.

Sometimes life is that simple. The birds are singing. God loves us. All our needs (and most of our wants) are met. Perfect.

Yet, often the swift current of 21st Century living sweeps away life’s wonder. The simple beauty of the old “Jesus Loves Me” hymn no longer satisfies our sophisticated minds.

I cycle to work most days along the beautiful Ottawa River Parkway. What could be more relaxing than gliding through forested areas on my bicycle, watching tiny goslings follow their parents into the cool water? But often my mind brims over with distraction and concerns. The beauty of God’s world escapes my preoccupied attention.

It’s all about learning to live in the moment.

Jesus warned us about this with a story about a man scattering seeds. Some fell on good soil and some on rocky ground. Sometimes I think the pace of living moves the seed in my life from the good soil of my heart into the rocky ground of my afterthoughts. My praise withers. Personal worship time becomes a memory. Who has time for it anyway?

Several years ago Ann Voskamp’s “One Thousand Gifts” rocketed to the top of the New York Times book ratings. Subtitled “A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are,” it’s her personal story of struggling against a long list of emotionally shattering experiences. However, she notes that the road back to exuberant life is not complex. It’s all about learning to live in the moment.

To regain this lost art, Voskamp decided to write down every nice thing that happened and every point of beauty around her: morning light filtering through kitchen curtains, a yellow flower dancing in the breeze, an unexpected smile. It all went into her notebook—every delightful event—and she found there were many. She took them as God’s personal gifts to her—holy treasures, not to be missed.

Every day is filled with watching for unexpected gifts from God and expressing gratitude to Him.

The practice transformed her life. No longer is she known as a glum, morose Christian somehow getting by. Now, she’s a gushing fountain of gratitude. Despite the crushing blows life delivered her, gratitude flows from her lips. Not complaints. Every day is filled with watching for unexpected gifts from God and expressing gratitude to Him. She’s recaptured the little-girl excitement that God wants us all to experience.

Life has purpose. We are not mere dust in the wind, we are not alone. It’s time to start seeing the footprints of God all around us.

So, this fall, I’m going to cycle to work a little slower. I’m going to consciously pause and enjoy some of the baby “quacks!” I hear. I’m going to accept each moment of beauty and colour the Lord offers. They are personal gifts from His hand—I’ve even started to write them down.

And if someone brings me hot chocolate, well what else could I possibly want?!

Allen Macartney is a freelance writer and editor. He has four young grandchildren (and another on the way) who constantly remind him to enjoy life’s simple pleasures.