June 16, 2010

I was outside last night around 10:30 watching the cusped moon set. My attention was drawn to three "stars" moving through the heavens, two moving at right angles to each other and the third forming the third leg of the triangle. My thoughts turned to how patient the ancient skywatchers must have been in order to notice and record the movements of the heavenly bodies.
I was watching three satellites, so easy to discern, their movements so rapid.

We like things to happen quickly. I want the garden to hurry up and grow. This weather is not conducive to the fulfillment of my desire. I want more sun! We elect a new president and we expect instant change. We read the Bible and want some inspiration or guidance NOW. The reality is that the developments in the natural world, culture, ....and the reading experience, are more often akin to the movement of the moon, sun, and stars than to that of our man-made 'stars' that we have launched into the heavens (so that we can communicate more quickly). Patience, a slow steady consistent habit of paying attention, seems to be a value that is being overrun by our insistence on instant change.

Each day is a long unfolding gift. The ancient skywatchers got that. I want to be more like them....