Altar Call Opelika-Auburn News
July 22, 2007
Walter Albritton
Some Sights and Scenes that Always Bring Me Joy
There are
unusual things to see in
We stare in
amazement at beautiful
The
unforgettable sights and scenes of
Before them was a large picture
window looking out on the
My friend exclaimed, "You have your back to the most beautiful view in the world!"
"Oh," she replied without excitement, "I've already seen it."
She went on to explain that she lived ten miles south of town and drove along the ocean road every day. "I've seen it so often," she said, "that I never bother to look at it anymore."
While I can understand how she came to feel that way, I got to thinking about how important it is not to lose one's fascination with beautiful things. So I decided to make a list of beautiful scenes that I want to see again and again as long as I live.
You might find it fun to make your own list after reading mine. But I have an idea that some of my favorite scenes will be on your list since we are all so much alike.
A full moon on a crisp fall night is quite magnificent, especially if you are viewing it while holding hands with someone you love. My wife loves to get the jump on me by being the first to notice the full moon. That's when I pretend not to care, saying in jest, "Oh, I've seen it before." But she knows I'm kidding. Then we enjoy its beauty together.
Not everyone shares my appreciation of a lovely sunrise. "Night" people prefer sunsets. I enjoy both, but my preference is the sunrise. There is something wonderful about the morning light "breaking" as the darkness is overcome by the gentle coming of the dawn.
Hunters know what I am talking about. A beautiful sunrise is sometimes the best reward for rising early to hunt for turkeys, deer, or doves. When you have been blessed by the sight of a glorious sunrise, you never go home empty-handed. That's when you realize that there are some things even better than getting the limit in game.
We enjoy
Watching the waves roll in on a
lazy day at the beach is a delightful scene. Some people may enjoy a longer
drive to
One scene that I long to see over and over is that of a packed house at church. If you want to see my grin widen, just watch me when I look out at the congregation and notice some dear soul trying to find an empty seat. Oh the joy of such a scene! My heart starts pounding and I begin praying, "Thank you, Lord! Let me see this sight again before you call me home!"
Even more beautiful is the sight of a couple kneeling together at the altar, holding hands, and offering themselves to the Lord so that his plan can be fulfilled in their lives. To see anyone saying "Yes" to God is simply majestic and a scene I never tire of beholding.>
Few scenes are more heartening than that of one of my own children coming up to hug me even though we may not have been apart but a few days. As the years roll on, we realize that we never know when we are hugging our dear ones for the last time. So each time becomes more precious.
Just as precious is the sight of one of my grandchildren or my great grandchildren running up to me, grinning, and saying gleefully, "Hey, Grampa!" That is a scene which will never lose its great excitement and joy for me. And, hey, now I have the joy of having a great grandchild jump into my arms to embrace me sometimes. How blessed can one old grandfather get!
But I leave for last the most beautiful scene of all for me -- that of my wife holding me in her arms and squeezing me for a long time. It doesn't get any better than that, especially when she has just forgiven me for the umpteenth time for doing or saying something stupid.
I hope my list will stimulate you to reflect for a moment about beautiful scenes in your own life -- scenes which you too want to see again and again as long as you live. Enjoy! + + +