Not The Only One

This morning I rode my bike through the snow and 4 degree air. It was a pretty brisk ride but I stayed "warm enough" regardless. I have to tell you if you don't already know this, that it was incredible. The snowy floor glowed all around me. These tiny little ice crystals reflected light from the sun with just the right facet and just the right angle to meet my eye, if only for a split second. Then another, among thousands, would take it's place.

I wasn't the only one to see this either. There were also others that I had seen walking along the trail. I saw two or three walking along, tethered to some breed of dog. I always freak out whenever I ride past a dog, thinking it's going to start chasing me. (I hate being chased by creatures who don't have a reason to.) One man muttered as I passed him, "I wouldn't ride a bike in this ___." I laughed, because I was. I would.
Mine weren't the only tracks in the snow. I saw the after marks of several other wheeled vehicles of some sort. Hundreds of footprints and even lots of tracks left by others creatures. I was not the only one who had experienced the morning light and air and yet I enjoyed it perhaps differently than others. 

Don't mistake what I say here. I don't particularly "like" the snow and frigid air. In truth I kinda dislike it a bit, but at the same time I enjoy and appreciate the beauty very much. It brings me to a place of awe and fear.
I wasn't the only one there this morning. I wasn't the only one to experience all this, and I was quite okay with that. If it's something that glorious, and that inspiring, it needs to be shared. It was created to be shared. And then collectively, those who shared in this morning can praise the God who made this morning.
Part of me wanted to ask everyone I passed what they thought about all this. Part of me wanted to point out to them, "Look! You're inhaling oxygen right now and then exhaling a cloud right back out. And you can see it!" But I didn't.

I think it's neat that the world enjoys seeing men like Ted Williams emerge back out of the ashes. The picture of redemption is still sought after by some. But he's not the only who can experience redemption. He's not the only one who can receive the second chance through grace. He's not the only one who already has, but right now he is probably enjoying redemption from a whole different way than others.This is real for him.
Redemption is real folks, and it is to be enjoyed. We can do this together. Collectively. As you enjoy your redemption, ask your neighbor if he is too. Then together praise God who redeems.