Dining in the Dark

Posted on January 13, 2010 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

The Plumeria at the Kahala

There is something enchanting about going to a familiar place at an unfamiliar time. This is the Plumeria – a restaurant at the Kahala – a place that I love to go to for breakfast. Eating outdoors in the morning is a delight. I see the ocean, the flowers, the palms and the birds — and interesting visitors from far away places.

You know, God, I love being outside in the special light of January — more southern and not filtered through our glorious clouds. But, I found dining in the dark to have its own charm.
Perhaps because I do it so rarely?

Then again, walking around familiar grounds — but in the dark — seems to turn on a different internal application. It felt as if I were paying more attention — but that isn’t quite right. Hmmm. Maybe it was more that I was walking WITHOUT my WIDE VISUAL focus on. Not that I didn’t see things, I did. But I had to hunt for things to see. For example, I noticed that this tiki torch had a patterned ornamental holder — not the regular canister type.

tiki torch with patterned holders

And the stars were so much clearer, too. I could see the Pleiades right over head. . . and Orion’s Belt. The sky seemed closer.

Thank You, God, for chances to see the familiar from an unfamiliar perspective. I think I need more of that kind of seeing in my life, God.

Help me to see my life from Your perspective, God. To see myself as YOU see me.

Now, I do see as through a glass, darkly. But some day I shall know, even as I am known. I think that will be a bit of a shock.

Best I try now, here, to see myself as You See me. Seeing myself with Your Compassion — encouraging myself to get up and take another small step. Encouraging myself to see others, as You see them — with love, with appreciation, with interest.

Yes, God! Help me today to walk both in the Dark of Not Knowing — AND in the Light of What I Do Know. Ah, YES!