Chasing Sunsets

By: Jennifer McClellan, MA, NCC, APC

​On a recent short trip to the beach with family, we rushed out to the beach each evening to catch the sunset.  It’s always a brilliant pink even after the sun comes down behind the trees.  We stay til every bit of sunlight is gone.  If a boat had been readily available – being on the water chasing the sunset each night would have been on the agenda.  Settling on the beach view, I watched people set up small campfires, take family photos, create social media posts.  You know what seemed missing?  Folks enjoying the actual sunset. 
 
Don’t get me wrong, our family took photos and enjoyed being silly.  But then we sat down in the cool sand, toes and all.  We enjoyed God’s display of nature, listened to the waves hit the shore, and enjoyed the hoodie worthy ocean breeze.  Savoring some silence at that point, I reflected on the day and planned on some downtime for the next couple of days instead of doing “all the things” expected on vacations.  
 
So now I’m wondering if we are enjoying our vacations, birthdays, graduations, weddings, holidays or are we checking off more to do lists?
 
I encourage us all to spend some time reflecting…

• Do we enjoy these events?
• Our families?
• Ourselves?
• Are we just checking off the boxes?

 
What needs to change, stay the same, or can we look at a situation from a different point of view.  Instead of looking for perfection, enjoy the moment the way it is – Just Be. Be in the moment, chasing the sunset, enjoying the view. 
​
Deuteronomy 24:13
“When the sun goes down you shall surely return the pledge to him, that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you; and it will be righteousness for you before the Lord your God.”