My dad is a fire fighter, and I am super proud of that. I also like the respect it affords me with little kids and older gentlemen who know what it means to work really hard and do something that matters. My dad taught me a lot about things that matter. He taught me specifics. There's a lot of value in specifics. When a writer wants a reader to identify, to connect, to understand, the more specific the writer is, the stronger and more natural the connection. Dad taught me that one should not just eat sandwiches. One should eat peanut butter and banana sandwiches with Lay's potato chips and Kool-Aid to drink. Or, better yet, one should eat a six inch BMT on white from Subway with spicy mustard, lettuce, tomato, pickles, green peppers, onions, oil, vinegar, oregano, and salt and pepper. Dad also introduced me to Miss Betty. Thank you, Dad!
Another thing Dad taught me was to learn the roads in my town, and in any other I was in for that matter. He would drive different routes to and from places with my sister and me in tow. He would tell us the names of roads and remind us of what roads they intersected. I know Oak Ridge streets pretty well, and I think, if I needed to, I could evade an enemy through my careful knowledge of the backroads. I've always preferred back roads because of that. The scenery is much more interesting, and you have to drive slower. I like slowing down. It helps me pay attention.
One thing I love to pay attention to is sunsets and sunrises. Well, I like to pay attention to anything that has to do with God's beautiful world (my mom used to sing me to sleep with a song about that) really. A couple of weeks ago, there was a gorgeous sunset. All purple and golden with red streaks all across the sky. My heart thrills at the sight of a beautiful sunset. It reminds me of God's power, His glory, and His creativity. This particular night, I decided I had to get a better look at the sunset. My house affords a pretty good view, but the trees in my back yard were winning over the golden and red show I wanted to see. So, I hopped in the car and headed for higher ground.
Almost anywhere on Outer Drive (including East and West) is good for sunset viewing, the further west the better. I headed for the Hill Top area and was compelled towards Warrior Circle. Strangely, this was a road I couldn't recall ever being on. I wound around the circle with its Secret City homes and came to the north side of the circle. The view of the valley into Oliver Springs and on up to Wartburg was astonishingly beautiful. There were gentle purple peaks rising toward the every blackening deep blue of early evening. Set against those deep colors were the bright rays of red and gold streaking over the sturdy branches of the hard woods between the sunset and me. I couldn't help but thank the Father for His handiwork. I wanted to close my eyes and remember everything, but I didn't want to shut them for fear of missing a second of all that glory. I wanted to write that moment on my heart, but, fresh out of indelible ink, I asked the Lord to remind me of that moment. I prayed He would remind me of out of the way places touched by His power and glory. I'm hoping that same power will keep reaching into the out of the way places in my heart. The back roads in my heart are not as pleasant as I'd like them to be, and I pray He'll take them and make them safe and lovely.
I'm so glad God brings His light to us. The name "Warrior Circle" reminded me of my favorite (okay, one of my favorite) verse. It's from Isaiah, and it's about warriors and light. It says:
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.
4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
5 Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.
4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
5 Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
I'm so glad that there will be a day when there will be no more need for warriors. I'm so glad I serve the Prince of Peace. And, I'm really glad He brings light to the darkness. For me, the sunset is a reminder that He is the light. He's the Way and the Truth. And, He makes beautiful places like Warrior Circle. I'm thankful to my dad for teaching me the back roads, and I'm thankful to my Father that He's spending time taking care to bring light to the dark places in the back roads of my heart.
