Just a Friday Morning Drive

The Friday commute starts out hustled -- late again. I decide it's still a victory, though, since I'm only 5 minutes behind the time I'd planned to leave...and yes, I would be on time for the staff meeting. I just will have to find another time for what I'd planned to work on beforehand. 

I'm reminded already to give my plans to the Lord. Let His plan be at work. 

I sing along to MercyMe's Welcome the the New, the soundtrack of my year so far. The words of God's grace and immeasurable love combine with the honesty of how we feel like we aren't strong enough, good enough, capable enough -- it serenades my heart and mind with the Truth. 

The sun is coming up, and I think back to the dark drives just a month ago at this same time, and I'm grateful because the rays lighten my heart and mind. The way the blue sky begins appearing with strokes of purples, pinks, and a streak of orange clouds fills me with joy. You painted a masterpiece this morning, God. I know the colors will morph into a different-looking masterpiece every few minutes until the sunrise melts away and the day truly begins -- many masterpieces it will be. Oh, how awesome to have such a loving Creator who spoils us with beautiful things to look at. 

Yes, I'm tired from getting into bed way too late and being woken up way before my alarm and the kind of tired that comes from a week demanding my time, energy, and especially my emotions. I'm looking forward to the weekend and the extra day off on Monday, and I'm hoping not to bomb the day by focusing on the tired. No, I want to give my kiddos joy and curiosity and knowledge today. I think through my plans for the day and marvel at how much we need to fit into our day -- with a Valentine's party to boot. And there are copies to be made, Friday Folders to fill, lesson plans to fill in for next week...the list seemingly doubles as I think.

I'm about to exit the interstate when I notice waves in the sky. The birds' bodies are a black outline to waves criss-crossing and flowing up and down in the rich blue sky. So many birds, so much moving, and yet the group moves fluidly together. And the waves move forward in the sky as their journey continues -- to food? to a spring home? I'm not sure -- onward. 

I think of Matthew 28:26-27:

Look at the birds of the air: they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

I want to remember this, share this, and cherish this sight longer. I exit the interstate towards school, excited nobody exits behind me. I take advantage of my time at the stop sign to take a quick picture of the amazing sight, but I don't dare take more than one. I don't want to explain that I was late because I was taking pictures of birds. 

I'm disappointed it's blurry, but what can you do when you've got just enough time for one quick photo? 

This sunrise and the birds are like love notes from God. My worries about the day have become a sigh of joy and thanksgiving as I leave the stop sign for the last leg of my drive. 

I am loved, and today I hope I can make everyone else feel that love, too.