One spring day I was driving home from work and had been considering Moses and the burning bush, the manifestation of God’s glory. I looked ahead to a section of road and saw the glint of afternoon sun shining through the leaves of a red oak and felt the excitement of seeing a “burning bush that was not consumed!” God seemed to be saying…. “I still call people to turn aside to look, listen and stand on sacred ground before burning bushes…..”
Recently I spent several leisurely hours in the company of a 90 year old widower. I happened upon him unexpectedly and, since he seemed to be needing to talk, to fill some lonely time with conversation, I listened. As I did, I saw the heart of a man who loves the Lord and who loves his recently deceased wife of 71 years. He shared stories of their life together, of years in military service, in a cutting edge career for his time, of lifelong friends, of gratitude for every awakening day, and of praying for and longing for the salvation of others.
By the time we parted we both felt we had found a new friend and expressed our mutual desire to meet again soon. His unguarded tears, his smiles through stories of loss and pain, his sweet memories of childhood, youth, friendships and family and God’s many blessings in his life was, to me, like standing on holy ground. I am privileged to have had those few hours with him and our waves to one another as he opened the door of his truck to leave is a moment of blessing I will long remember…… like seeing a burning bush.