When Sunsets Are Too Much — Try a Cinnamon Roll

Paraphrased from Amanda Baird, Christian Alliance for Orphans

Dr. Curt Thompson encourages us to “put ourselves in the path of oncoming beauty,” because in doing so, God is “reminding you that he is alive and active in the world and is still in the business of creating goodness and beauty … and wants you to join him.” (Check out his full blogpost here.)  

A colleague shared that when she was in a hard season, a glorious sunset felt . . . too big. She took in this panorama that “should” be awe-inducing and still felt sad. And then she felt a little guilty for not appreciating it like she “should.” But when she narrowed her focus and stared at a single flower, she found she could experience that beauty — that the God of the universe met her in those tiny petals.  

So I tried it. I could focus on a single rose blooming in my yard, appreciate cinnamon rolls brought by a friend, and make a video of my kids doing a goofy dance. I chose to marvel at my husband throwing a football with my son.  

We serve a really big God who is ready to meet us on our hard days in really big ways. But He is also ready to meet us in our weakness and sadness in small and gentle ways. And sometimes, those itty-bitty, tiny ways are the only form that we can actually receive.  

I LOVE THIS great message from Amanda! When my husband and I served as CrossTalk teachers in June at T.R.A.C. Kearney, I was waiting for a group of campers to arrive at the waterfront. Because the temperature neared 100 F, I sat in the water. Without a phone to distract me, I noticed the veins on a leaf floating on the surface. I pulled a small plant out of the sand and was amazed at the strong root system. I couldn’t help but praise the Breath Maker. 

God shows up in countless ways at T.R.A.C. Let’s remember to celebrate all the small moments in the middle of the challenges . . . little love notes from Heaven.