People Watching

The 10 year old girl tried to keep up with a man who kept looking at his cell phone. She kept her sad eyes locked on the pavement. Seems an odd pair for such a happy place like Kings Dominion. The man finally glanced at her and shrugged his shoulders. He reached behind her and touched her on the opposite shoulder and looked away. The girl turned in the direction of the tap, saw no one and smiled. She looked at him. He grinned and winked. His pace slowed as she shortened the distance between them and slid her small hand into his. Wonder if he's her uncle hoping to brighten her life after losing her father?

The family of five walked quickly. The two young boys laughed and bragged about the last roller coaster ride with sound effects. The parents held hands and watched the bouncy duo's excitement. The teenager daughter trailed behind, biting her lower lip. Obviously, her mind was not on coasters or her family. Wonder if she's pregnant and doesn't know how to tell her parents?

The 70ish year old woman stopped pushing the stroller, arched, and rubbed her lower back. The sleeping toddler stirred. Tightly grabbing the handle again, she pushed the heavy stroller forward trying to catch up with twin eleven year old girls who dodged the people-traffic racing for the next ride. Wonder if she's raising her grandkids?

I sat on a bench and waited for my family to return from riding a coaster. People watching. Hard rock music blared, the sun baked the pavement, and buttery popcorn permeated the air. And my writer's mind wanted to create stories for all those passing in front of me. I can't speak for all fiction writers, but I see stories everywhere.

Everyone who lives has a story to tell. A journey to share. Some chapters are happy, some sad, some scary, some redeeming. After all, life is super complex.

How does God do it?

 At any given moment, incredible happy events like births of babies are happening while at the same instant, someone murders his parents. A teenager stands up for his faith while on the other side of the world, a missionary is executed. A single mom works two jobs to support her children while the neighbor down the street, abuses government subsidies to avoid working. The young man fighting cancer only wants to live while the drug addict shoots up another toxic concoction.

These events stir feelings in us. So if we are created in His image, then He must have feelings about them too. How does He ever begin to deal with all those feelings at one time? Extreme joy and gut-wrenching sadness. Believers and persecutors. Justice and injustice. Life and death.

How does His heart handle those extremes, moment by moment, day by day? I wish my finite brain could answer that question but I can't. When I'm sitting at His feet in the throne room, I'll ask, "How in the world did You handle all that at one time?" I imagine that He will look over to Jesus, pat His heart, and smile. 

After all, He is love.

Today's epiphany is that my small and limited perspective shifts. From an overly sensitive, judgmental view of the world to sweet gratitude for this opportunity to live this complex life and yet, still have a story to share.  To God be the glory.

Do you ever ponder your story? Had any epiphanies lately? Please share.

Tammy Van Gils is a writer, blogger, and co-owner of S & N Paint Contractors, Inc. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Word Weavers International. In the Richmond area, she is a member of The Christian Writers Hub and Word Weavers Richmond. Visit her Facebook Page, Pinterest and Twitter @Tammyvangils