Stop and smell the roses

Well, since we're still sort of in the onset of a new year, I'd like to present another thought for consideration that, hopefully, we'll think about as we pass through it. As a lead-in to our thoughts today I'm going to mention some words of advice that we're all familiar with: "Stop and smell the roses."
We're all on a journey through our lives in this world and it matters not where along the road of life we've arrived so far, these thoughts apply to the entire journey. And I think about, and opine, on these thoughts because I think that all of us tend to get caught up in life in general, and in the living of it, and we miss a lot of things along the way. Things that shouldn't be missed. So, I guess a good way to start off our lesson here is to ask, "What are you missing?"
You know, Christians have to live in this world just like everyone else. In the 15^th & 16^th verses of John 17, we see where Christ's disciples are "in the world" but, not "of the world." In other words, we're subject to everything about the world, but we're supposed to avoid being caught up in the snares of it.
I say that because I see something "of the world" that Christians seemingly get caught up in like everyone else and we should be the last people allowing this to happen. The "something" of which I speak is, becoming unmindful, or even blase' about the wonders of God and His creation. We get so busy in our everyday living that we forget to "smell the roses" and when we do, we forget about God.
A great illustration of how we go through life not paying attention to the beauty and blessings of God that are all around us is an experiment I once read about set up and conducted by the Washington Post newspaper. This experiment was designed to show that society, in general, no longer noticed or paid much attention to the things of beauty found in common settings. Here is what they did....
In a major metro train station in Washington DC a man dressed in casual clothes and wearing a baseball cap, sat down and began playing classical music on a violin. He played six different pieces for about 45 minutes. Now this was during rush hour and literally thousands of people passed through the station and by him as he played.
The results of the experiment was as follows: one middle-aged man stopped for a few seconds and listened and then hurried on his way. A woman, without stopping, passed by and threw a dollar bill in a container. Another man stopped for a minute or so, leaning against a wall listening, but then looked at his watch and walked away. The ones who paid the most attention to the violinist were children who tried to stop and listen, but all of the parents, without exception, forced them to move on. In the 45 minutes he played, only 6 people actually stayed awhile listening. Several gave money, but kept going. He collected $32.00
When he finished playing no one even applauded nor did anyone recognize him. The violinist's name was Joshua Bell and is reportedly one of the best musicians in the world. He had held a concert 2 days earlier where the tickets cost $100 apiece and it was sold out. Plus, he was playing his music on a violin worth 3.5 million dollars. And six (6) people actually stopped "to smell the roses."
The conclusion reached by the newspaper was this, and I quote: "If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing."
In conclusion, here's a penned thought entitled, "WHISPERS." (Author unknown)
    The man whispered, "God, speak to me" and a meadowlark sang.
            But, the man didn't hear.
    So the man yelled, "God, speak to me" and the thunder rolled across the sky.
            But, the man didn't listen.
    The man looked around and said, "God, let me see you" and a star shone brightly.
            But, the man did not see.
    And the man shouted, "God, show me a miracle" and a life was born.
            But, the man did not notice.
    So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know you're here."                     Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man.
            But the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.
Well, maybe I'm wrong, but it just seems to me that Christians should be the most appreciative people in the world when it comes to the things that God has blessed His creation with. That we should strive to take more notice, and to be more aware of those things, and by so doing, be aware of the presence of God all around us. Everywhere and at all times.
One last thought - "roses" come in many disguises. They can appear in the form of a beautiful older person, many views of the sky, mountains, lakes and rivers and any number of scenic views, even the arts. And don't forget the "critters." As you go through this new year, just think about the "roses" we're blessed to have around us and when we actually take the time to see them, to "smell them" as it were, we're really seeing God. Don't brush the "butterfly" off when God "touches" you.
Anyway, that's my thoughts and I'm sticking to them.
Ron Covey

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