I found myself inspired right on the asphalt parking lot at Best Buy last night.  Yep, right there with the 90 degree heat and the shopping carts left carelessly in the middle of the lot.

I was headed inside to buy a new camera to take with us to Rome (so I can show you 800 photos when we return.)  But before I could get inside the store I glanced into the sky and stopped in my tracks.  The most glorious cumulus cloud was suspended in the heavens, the color of ripe cantaloupe.  The cloud appeared to be miles high, the outlines puffy like cauliflower florets, glowing in the most incredible orange hue.  I stood there in wonder.

Psalm 105:4 (in Robert Alter’s fresh translation) says,

“Inquire of the Lord and His strength, 
        seek His presence always.”

I have been trying to live by that verse these days…to seek God’s presence always.  The goal would be that – by day’s end – one should be able to review many ways in which God has become visible.

And so, on Thursday evening, July 29, which was the 100th anniversary of the birth of my father, I saw a glorious cantaloupe cloud crowning the day. Thank you, God, for your strength and your presence.

P.S.  I look forward to being with you this Sunday, August 1st. We are keeping Alex in our prayers as he preaches a second Sunday in Rome.  Bonnie and I are almost packed and will be leaving Savannah on Monday.   
 
Creede Hinshaw