I just met God on a swingset

I love swing sets. Always have.

But my intention this evening was not to go swing. I just wanted to take a walk. However, a combination of my (probably) irrational fears and that overwhelming feeling when God is nudging you in a certain direction led me to the swing set down at KCS.

I just wanted a walk! I went on the walk I normally take, which leads to a dead end at a field. Normally, I then turn around and head home. This evening, however, I ran into a strange old man towards the end of the street who had a glass of wine in his hand, and was throwing out a few beer bottles. He asked how I was, and I did the same. He replied "I'm trying to be good, but it's hard." He then proceeds to tell me I'm beautiful. It weirded me out. So instead of turning around and walking back past the guy (who is now in his truck, with the wine still in hand), I cut through the dirt field at the end of the road and decided to take a long way home. Since my alternate route led me close to work (KCS), I decided to head over there and walk around the track before heading home. Once I got there, though, I knew I needed to go sit on the swings.

That's when I hung out with God.

It was so wonderful just sitting on the swing, observing what was going on around me. For the first time in quite some time I actually really paid attention to the beauty of my surroundings. I noticed the pattern of the leaves on the tree above me. I heard a cow 'moo' and was amazed at how creative our God was when he created the animals. I swung as high as the swing would let me, with my eyes closed, and it was the most freeing experience I've had in ages. It was completely exhilarating, and I finally felt alive. Really alive. I felt the wind on my face and in my hair without being annoyed or worried about my hair going crazy (a common concern for us curly-headed people). Even the normally disruptive sounds brought me more into the presence of God. A plane flew overhead. Motorcycles drove past. The swing set creaked. And all I could do was thank God for gifting people with the ability to imagine and create the things around me. It was this incredible experience of prayer. I didn't even say anything, I just knew God knew what was on my heart. I don't know if this will make sense, but it was like I was seeing poetry all around me. I don't know, it makes sense in my head! Once I finally got up, I walked back home, still in prayer and communion with our Creator. I prayed for my students, one especially, who I feel a real burden for. I finally got home, an hour after I began (and an extra mile and a half more than I planned) and wanted to share my experience with you (whoever you are).

We really do live in a beautiful world, and so often I'm so annoyed and busy that I don't notice the little things. The bright yellow flowers in someones yard. The little blue petals growing up in the green grass. The smell of a freshly mowed lawn. The flight of a bird.

When you stop noticing those things, or you find yourself annoyed at life; go sit on a swing. God might join you there.