Acknowledgement of God's Creations

John and I visited Spokane on a regular basis.  As you come into the city from the west, there is a view of the city below and the mountains in the distance.  We always remarked how beautiful it was.  But in a conversation with one of the residents of that city, we discovered they really never paid any attention to the beauty around them.  Their nose was to the proverbial grindstone.  

So, that became a question we asked often when we visited other beautiful places.  And I’m sorry to say, most people don’t notice God’s creation.  It’s just a familiar part of their drive to work, with their mind elsewhere.  

How sad.  

Here’s where I probably will offend some people.  I grew up in Kansas.  Not beautiful.  I remember clearly the first time I saw mountains.  I wondered why anyone would choose to live in Kansas.  I now understand it’s not always a choice.  You see, when we moved to the TriCities, I kept saying “no” to the move because I thought it was ugly.  Yet I have lived here 33 years.  

And, yes, there is a point to all of this.  

I’m reading a fascinating book entitled “Ghost Boy” by Martin Pistorius.  Until the age of 12 he was a normal boy.  And then his body shut down…everything except his mind.  I can’t even begin to imagine.  Years later, with modern technology, he is able to let us know what that was like.  As I read this morning, his words triggered this blog.  

Can we get so used to being able to walk, talk, see, etc. that we stop noticing?  When we drive our car or ski down a mountain, are we aware of the wonderful gift we’ve been given?  Or do we just accept it as a given?  

Just one more point.  

Those people strapped in a wheelchair or lying in a bed just may be able to hear…to see…what you say and do.  Does our attitude about them show?  Do we find them distasteful?  Do we go out of our way to ignore them?  Physical limitations do not necessarily define them.  Just what if their mind is alive in there?  

I’m not talking about sympathy.  I’m talking about acceptance.  In my life right now, I’m not having to address this.  But I have had to in the past.  I pray my attitude with those I dealt with was one of acknowledgment of their personhood.

“Your eyes have seen my unformed substance: and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.  Psalm 139:16 (NASB)