By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

You’re now a high school or college senior, or maybe you’re the parent of one.  You’ve known this day was coming sooner or later, but you’ve secretly dreaded it.  Life seems to be going by entirely too quickly for you and those whom you love.  The toughest part may be, as it was for my mom many years ago, watching me walk into my college dorm building as she and my dad drove off that first time.

Maybe you’re one of those folks with a lot on your plate.  You’ve juggled deadlines and meetings and assignments and problems until you’ve reached your limit.  The light at the end of the tunnel seems so very dim and so far away.  You’re overwhelmed by the weight of it all.

Maybe you’re not experiencing either of those things, and maybe you’re not really dealing with any great difficulty right now.  But, for whatever reason, you find yourself farther away from the Lord than you once were.  Your time with Him is not currently a priority.  You’ve gotten out of the habit of going to church and worshiping with other believers.  You feel alone and distant.

Yesterday evening, I rolled our large garbage trolley down to the end of our road/driveway so that it would be there for the garbage truck this morning.  We were home alone, the neighbors were gone, and there was no traffic.  The neighbors’ dogs even ignored my trek, and the only sound I heard was the scratching of the trolley’s big plastic wheels on the gravel.  For a brief moment in my day, it was just me and God.  There was no great spiritual moment; I hadn’t heard Him giving me specific direction.  I was taking out the garbage.

I left the can near the road and turned to make my way back toward the house.  That’s when I saw what you see here.  For just a moment, there was no house, there were no distractions, there wasn’t even any garbage any more.  It was the Lord’s handiwork on display in another beautiful sunset – directly ahead of me.  To get back home, I had to walk in that direction.  To be back where I needed to be, I needed to walk directly toward the Lord’s work – leaving my garbage behind.

If we are to make a difference in today’s world, we will only do so if we get rid of the trash and walk directly to Him.  Maybe we’ve not been “home” in a while.  Now’s the chance.  Let go of the garbage, head back to the House, and keep your focus on His handiwork in your week ahead.  He’s right in front of you, if only you’ll pay attention!

Just a thought.