Read, Write, Love, Repeat

Somehow summer is at a close. I go back to teaching tomorrow. My girl went back to California last week for college. And all summer I meant to share this. And all summer I shared other things, though mostly not in writing. Though months later than I planned, here’s a moment I captured at the beginning of my summer.

I recall so clearly waiting in the airport terminal, filled with anticipation as our girl’s flight was somewhere overhead, approaching our new Texas hometown, summer’s plans spread before us. I people-watched half-heartedly as I read my book, and a moment I witnessed gave me pause, pulling my focus. A tall young woman strode purposefully, focused on the concourse ahead of her, roller bag in tow. She clearly had an agenda, her face serious, eyebrows knit together. Then suddenly she heard her name, turned her head, and her face crumpled into a surprised smile, tension falling away. She utters “No way!” as she throws her arms around the tall young man who called her name, likely her brother. A moment. An unexpected surprise, a connection. One she would have walked right past in her drive to get where she was going.

I had to wonder as I observed them in their excited talking, how likely am I to hear, to really listen when I’m a gal-with-a-plan, on my way somewhere, doing something?  How likely am I to just barrel down the path of my trajectory, ignoring that voice that calls out my name?  To pass right over the voice calling out to me for connection? This young traveler could have just kept going, focused on what she was doing. She clearly had stuff to do- get her bags, call an Uber, leave the airport for her intended destination. But she heard a voice of one she loved. And it changed everything.

Busyness can deafen us to what we need to hear. I do this all the time. I don’t hear, don’t respond to that voice, I just speed right past that potential moment of surprise and joy, that spark of seeing and being truly seen, that sweet unexpected moment with One who loves me fiercely, one who did way more to bring me home than a simple drive to the airport. Even in Dallas traffic.

As I waited for my girl’s flight I paused and listened. For my name. For God’s voice. For that moment of connection. and He is always there. Waiting as I pull my roller bag busily through life. Waiting to bless me and surprise me with His love and care. And He has. And He does. And hearing the voice of the One I love, One who loves me, truly changes everything. Truly changes me.

Looking back at this  summer, He has taught me to hear Him more, to pause more, to look up from my must-get-it-done trajectory and allow for those moments of connection. May I learn more and more to listen and hear. And may it continue to change me.