For as long as I can remember, I’ve lived on fast forward. Born two weeks early, teethed early, talked early, walked early...I can’t remember a time I was ever content to stay at the stage I was at. I was always ahead of myself and everyone else. I just try to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible.

But over the last few years, the Lord has been teaching me to slow down.

It’s hard. Like, really hard.

At first, I didn’t listen. Now, I’m finally starting to get it. And I wished I’d listened sooner.

See, the beauty of life is found in all the small, in-between moments. The present is a gift we open up by slowing down to open our eyes and pay attention to the wonder. And all this time, I’ve been missing it. I was on a mission, trying to check the list off of things to do, places to go, and people to see, all for the sake of checking it off the list. I didn’t really experience life – I just passed through. And in doing so, I missed the art of being – the heart of living.

Now, that’s changing.

Today, I finished the last final of the semester (hello, summer!). And for a moment, as I headed down the road back home, I was tempted to jump right into whatever my next plans are.

But, He pulled me back a step. And I realized, I almost missed it again.

Here is a beautiful moment to revel and bask in the sweetness of finishing a semester, a day and season which have seen tremendous examples of His grace, and I was just about to skip right past it onto the next thing.

[pullquote width="300" float="left"]I want to feel the blood running through my veins, the beat of my heart, the warmth of the sun, a child's laughter and a hug from a friend.[/pullquote]

Not this time though. This time, I want to fully savor this moment. I want to fully experience the beauty of the present, and to give God back the gift of my appreciation. I want to feel the blood running through my veins, the beat of my heart, the warmth of the sun, a child's laughter and a hug from a friend.

When someone gives you a gift, you don’t say, “Oh, thanks!” and toss the gift aside. That would be selfish carelessness. Instead, when someone you love gives you a gift, you take the time to really appreciate the gift. You take your time in giving thanks. After all, they took the time to let you know they love you.

It’s the same way with God.

Each and every day, He is hard at work, filling our days with all sorts of quiet whispers of His love, and we hurry past, too busy to stop and notice and let ourselves rest in His love.

When I see what incredible things God is doing, I want to slow down, be still, and take a quiet moments to give thanks. To fully embrace what He’s already given me, and to let Him know that I see. I care. And I sit in awestruck wonder as I consider all His hands have made.

O God, how great Thou art!

This weekend, I urge you to take a minute to just stop and enjoy the moment. It might still be finals time for many of you, but I hope that you'll find a moment of peace to appreciate all that we have been blessed with. Give yourself permission to let go of the world and just sit in the presence of the great God. That is more energizing than any power nap or energy drink!

-KM