I was with a friend on a beach at the Jersey Shore awaiting the sunset. A line of people carrying coolers and blankets poured onto the beach. The place was mobbed and bustling with conversation, laughter, and children playing. As if someone had dimmed the lights, the crowds quieted as we watched the beauty of the setting sun paint the sky with an array of colors. “Oohs” and “aahs” filled the summer eve. When the sun slipped from sight the crowd spontaneously broke into a sustained applause. I immediately joined in. Then I paused and thought, “Who are we clapping for?—God, of course.”
Summer is an opportunity to reconnect with God’s creation as we watch the sun set over a lake or ocean, tend our gardens, or observe a bird outside our window. Earth is truly crammed with heaven if we have eyes to see. There are common bushes afire with God on the paths we walk each day, whether they are country roads, city sidewalks, or mall walkways. Stop, notice, give thanks, and then share with others your encounter with God in the ordinariness of your day.
