“Look, there they are!”
Isaiah 41:27
One of the most exciting parts about our vacation this summer was all the wildlife we saw. In three days we saw 7 buffalo, 12 elk, 1 bear, 19 deer, and a host of birds. And every time was thrilling. Whoever saw it first would grab someone else’s arm or poke the one nearest to them, and point. We spoke in whispers, afraid to spoil the moment or disturb the critter we were watching.
Several months ago when my daughter and I were on our church’s women’s retreat, located at a remote retreat center at the base of some local mountains. The building where we had our teaching sessions was in a wooded area, and during a morning teaching, someone in the row in front of us noticed a deer outside the window. So she leaned over to the woman next to her, and whispered and gestured a little in that direction. Then that woman leaned over to the woman on the other side of, and whispered and pointed, etc.
I sat there and watched this information go down the row, and I just loved the fact that everyone who saw the deer wanted someone else to see them too. They wanted to share their excitement, just like my family did in Yellowstone. Just like complete strangers did in Yellowstone.
One evening an elk walked right through our campground. We realized it because the people at the site next to us saw it coming, and pointed it out to us.
The next day, as we drove out to do some exploring in the park, we saw a lot of cars pulled over to the side of the road. That generally means there’s something interesting to see, so we pulled over too, without knowing why. And as we got out of the car and made our way to where people were looking, someone turned to us and said, “There are elk in the trees over there!”
It was like gossip, but sweeter and more childlike. And it’s so loving, because it’s not just wanting to share something you’re excited about, like “I bought a new car!” It’s wanting someone else to be able to participate, too… to be a part of the thrilling thing you’re enjoying. And what could be better than that?
Light Expectations 