Let me set the scene: After running into Starbucks to grab my app-ordered goodies, I found myself stuck in the drive-through line. Normally, this would really irk me but today it was just a small annoyance, as my mind was elsewhere. Again. Chewing on its latest creation has been the favorite pastime of my mind for most of my life. Teaching it to focus on the present has become a life-long project.

Once I was able to finally extract myself from the ridiculously long drive-through line, I headed west on Baker’s Bridge figuring that would be an easier way to get to the freeway entrance.  In a desperate attempt to pull my mind out of its hole and back into my real life — not an easy feat these days — I plugged in my phone and put on my latest playlist.

As the first strains of music began to play, I crossed over the 65 freeway and looked up at the beautiful sapphire blue sky; the kind of sky you only get after a cleansing rain like the one we had yesterday. That sapphire sky crashed into the lush rolling hills of Franklin, which are still mostly decked out in their finest summer greens, though a few trees have put on some of their autumn attire like a high school girl trying out different looks before finally settling on one for the homecoming dance.

With traffic stopped at the light ahead and more traffic flowing below me on the 65, the scene was almost complete: the beauty of God’s creation side-by-side with the busy traffic of my life – and my crazy brain desperately chewing on it’s latest toy. Yeah, that pretty much sums up how the last decade has gone. Beauty and chaos, God’s creation and my own aggravation. But just as Jonathan Allen’s beautiful, warm baritone voice rang out from my speakers, I saw a large hawk fly from between the trees and begin to soar above the road ahead, drifting on the wind and hovering over all the traffic. And I was transfixed. The wing span alone was impressive, not to mention its ability to just soar with so little effort; a couple of flaps of its wings and it was good to go. Serenity washed over me as I watched that hawk circle above all the busyness below, watching and waiting, while Jonathan sang, “All creatures of our God and King; lift up your voice and with us sing, Oh praise Him! Alleluia!”

I was struck in that moment with how often I am witness to all of creation crying out it’s joyful praise to God — a beautiful sunset, a striking sunrise, a family of turkeys crossing the road and holding up morning rush hour for a rush hour of their own… Too often it just passes me by because my mind is too busy chewing on it’s latest production to give it more than a passing glance. This morning I chose to stop in that moment and worship Jesus along with the hawk and hills and sky (and Jonathan and our amazing worship team at Grace Chapel). And you know what? My mind has had a really hard time going back to it’s latest chew toy.

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.  My life makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble and afflicted hear and be glad.  O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. — Psalm 34:1-3 (AMP)