Should Have Looked

Should Have Looked

Teach us to realize the brevity of life,so that we may grow in wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

In 1933 George Rafferty and his family were taking a long summer vacation. They began in San Diego, California. Then they drove north along the glorious Pacific coast in their open roadster. They enjoyed wonderful times swimming in the ocean, picnics on the beach, and many other excursions.

During the trip George was especially interested in the historical sites along the way. He loved learning interesting tidbits about the places they visited. When they reached their hotel in the Yosemite Valley, George found out that an old man in the office had been one of the company of people who had discovered Yosemite in 1851.

Eagerly George seized the opportunity to find out what it was like to be among the first explorers to behold one of nature’s most marvelous works.

“It must have been wonderful,” George said, “to have the valley burst suddenly upon you! Tell me, please, what you remember about that moment.”

The old man spat over the edge of the veranda and looked reflective for a moment, trying to remember the time in question. “Well,” he said finally, “I’ll tell ye, son. If I’d’a knowed this here valley was going to be so famous, I’d’a looked at it.”

Sometimes life flashes by me like the scenery out the window of my car as I drive down the highway at seventy miles per hour. I get glimpses of color and flickering shadows, splashes of rain, and sunshine and rainbows, but I rarely stop long enough to really look at my life’s events individually. I don’t take them in and explore them.

Like the old man, someday I may look back sadly and think, If I’d’a knowed this here life was going to pass by so fast, I’d’a looked at it.

Slow me down, Lord, and help me to look at and appreciate the glories you put along my pathway every day. Amen.