Today I thank God for a very uneventful plane ride to New York City. I realized very quickly that, while I enjoy visiting Manhattan, my heart is really in New Mexico. I need the big open spaces that New York does not seem to offer. Everything seems to be piled on top of everything else.
Despite all of the spacial issues, we are having a good time. It is great to take a few moments with the family and just breathe. Our mission is to use this trip to relax and reconnect with each other. With that said, there are shows to see, museums to visit, and food to eat.
Tonight we ate at an Italian restaurant right across the street from our hotel. It is called Mercatos and the food was delicious. The dining area was very small and we could not help but feel a little claustrophobic. All around us there were people dining and the cacophony of noise was sometimes overwhelming. As I overheard bits and pieces of conversations, I kept wondering, “How does God speak into a sea of people that seem to move forward in their lives without giving the Divine a second glance? Would anyone in this place hear God if they were called?”
While the meal was absolutely delicious, I was left to wonder when in the chaos of my own life did I stop to listen for God’s call? What led me to respond? I gave thanks over dinner for my own story of faith. I gave thanks for the many people who, despite all of the noise around them, responded to God’s call.
From a Pastor's Point of View 