Basking

I had a particularly obnoxious morning. I am a morning person. I adore mornings... walking to class in the crisp air, the purity and hope of a new day... a fresh start. But if my mornings go awry, I get grumpy. And if it's a grumpy Monday... forget it.

After doing my running around for the day, I finally settled down to speed through some assignments before dinner... when a friend really challenged me. I shared a little bit about my day and complained. (yes. I'm not always the most upbeat person in the world)... He listened quietly, then told me to bask in the presence of the Lord. That's a weird concept. It's just not something we're taught to do. Not something that comes naturally. I'm a stinkin worrying, stressed mess. I let the stress of every day transfer to me.

But do you get what it means to bask? Basking is "to lie or relax in a pleasant, warm atmosphere." Summer is not so far behind us to make it difficult to recall basking in the sun. Perhaps on the beach with a good book... no stress. Just the cool lapping of the waves, the grainy sand, an occasional gull. A child shrieking with joy. The sun tickling every inch of exposed skin... creating a gentle shiver of delight.... to just simply relax.

As I pondered this, I pondered the beauty of basking. Of truly being still. Of stopping the flood of assignments, meetings, classes, responsibilities, and expectations from drowning out the simple beauty of cherishing the presence of God.

I have spent the last two days reading Emerson's reflections on nature. Coupled with powerful images from scripture, I somehow feel ushered into the presence of God through nature. The heavens declare His glory, and I am at peace. And I sit in awe of my Creator. And bask. I have a choice. Today I will choose to bask.