My very active 3-year-old daughter had begged us to take her to the zoo. When we took her, she was completely ecstatic. I loved seeing the wonder and amazement in her eyes.

Giraffes, elephants, and rhinos, oh my! Her afternoon was nothing short of joy. I’m a type A person, so I made sure every minute of our zoo day was planned out.

In my mind, we had to see every single exhibit the zoo had to offer.

There was no time to stop and smell the flowers. We’re on a schedule, here!

But then, something strange happened.

As we walked briskly uphill to see the red pandas, my daughter yelled in excitement.

“WOW!”

I turned and looked at her, and caught her eye in a glimpse of amazement.

Did she happen to see the red pandas before her father and I spotted them?

Was there a fuzzy character dressed up like an animal getting pictures with other children?

Was there a lion that escaped its fence and was roaming free?

No, no, and no.

It was a family of ants on the ground eating a Dorito.

My initial thought was, “Seriously? An ant? I paid 50$ for you to be excited about an ant?”

But then I slowed down, took a deep breath, and soaked up the smile on my daughter’s face.

In the eye of my wondrous little three-year-old–this colony of ants eating an old Dorito was in fact, amazing.

I chose to soak up that moment.

The Importance of Slowing Down

How many times do you rush through the busyness of life–through the never-ending to-do list?

Do you ever miss beautiful moments?

Jesus Tells Martha To Worry Less

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:38-42

Martha was busy preparing her home for Jesus. She was distracted by all of the things that needed to be done.

I can imagine just how frazzled she must have been. If I have any guest over I act like I’m expecting the Queen of England and scrub my floors with a toothbrush. But here she was, expecting JESUS!

Jesus arrives and tells her something profound. He tells Martha that the only thing that is important is her eternal salvation.

There is Beauty In Slowing Down

My dear friend, it’s not to late to stop your distractions.

What is it on your to do list that is stopping you from spending time with Jesus?

What things do you have planned, that stop you from missing little moments of wonder?

Slow down, open your eyes, and observe all of the beautiful things in this world around you.

God created the earth.

He created beautiful things!

He wants us, his children, his precious creation, to enjoy them.

Take a deep breath, stop along your path, and notice the wonders around you.

Your family, your children, your home, creation.

Put down your to do list, spend time with Jesus, and enjoy the beautiful world God created for you.

There is beauty in slowing down 🙂