As the evening starts to slow down, James begins building a fire. As he gathers the firewood, he looks over at me and jokingly says, "I know how much you love your ASMR videos, so here's a live-action version for you."
At first, I laughed as I grabbed my phone and headphones. I was already on my way to find something to watch so I could "relax." But then I stopped and looked around.
Just six feet away from me was one of the best views I could have asked for.
I love fall evenings when I can sit outside beside a nice, toasty fire. The stars shining above me, the fresh air surrounding me, and the calming sounds of the trees and birds. There's something so peaceful about sitting in the quiet and letting the world slow down around you.
And yet, there I was, reaching for my phone to find peace somewhere else.
That's when it hit me.
James was right.
How disconnected had I become that I couldn't even stop to enjoy watching a fire being built? Why was I so quick to reach for a screen when I had something beautiful happening right in front of me?
Somewhere along the way, I had gotten so used to looking for ways to escape the noise that I almost missed the beauty of the silence.
We live in a world where we're constantly reaching for something to entertain us, distract us, or help us unwind. We scroll, we watch, we listen, and we fill every quiet moment with something. And don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with enjoying those things!
But what happens when we become so accustomed to filling the silence that we forget how to sit in it?
What happens when we're so busy looking for peace that we overlook the peace God has already placed around us?
That evening, I was reminded that sometimes the most meaningful moments don't require a screen, a plan, or even a conversation.
Sometimes, they simply require us to be present.
Present with the people we love. Present in the world God created for us. Present enough to notice the little things we might otherwise overlook.
A crackling fire.
A sky full of stars.
The cool fall air against your skin.
The person sitting beside you.
And sometimes, God uses the simplest moments to remind us of what truly matters.
I'm so thankful James jokingly called me out. What started as a laugh turned into a moment of reflection, gratitude, and connection. Not only did I feel more connected to the world around me, but I also felt closer to God and to the man sitting beside me.
I didn't need to find a video to help me relax. I just needed to put my phone down and enjoy the life happening right in front of me.
Maybe that's our reminder today: We don't always have to search for peace. Sometimes, we just need to slow down long enough to recognize it. 💜
Tonight, I'm grateful for the fire, the stars, the quiet, the lesson, and the man who reminded me to stop and enjoy it all.
And most of all, I'm grateful to God for the little moments that turn into the biggest reminders.
🍂 A little question for you, Bestie: When was the last time you put your phone down, stepped away from the noise, and truly enjoyed the moment you were in?
Maybe today is a good day to start again.