When . . .

A while ago, I went out for breakfast at a restaurant not too far from where I live. It was an extraordinarily pleasant, sun-drenched, early fall morning: just right for enjoying a cup of coffee and a bagel. I was about half-way through my second cup, when a man came in, looked at the natural light streaming in through the three sides of floor-to-ceiling windows, and exclaimed, “When I build my house on top of a mountain, this is the kind of room I want to have!”

I don’t really know if this guy was actually intending to build a mountain-top abode. But it made me realize how much I sometimes count on tomorrow, next week, or next month unfolding in a way which suits me.

After Pentecost, Peter and John were on their way to the temple one day to pray. A man who had been crippled since birth saw these guys purposefully striding along and asked them for some money. Note that in response, Peter did not say, “When I have more time . . .” or “When I am better off financially . . .” Instead, Peter decided to do what he could with what he had at that moment. Peter reached out his right hand and pulled the man up, instantly healing the man’s feet and ankles. (See Acts 3:1-7.)

Flash back to that early fall day. I was really looking forward to when trees would begin their annual fall fashion show, when an overcast day would provide even, shadow-free lighting, and when I would have a whole day to go out with my camera equipment.

However, within a few days of my restaurant experience, I was spending a few minutes at a local garden. I strolled through the grounds, well ahead of any autumn colors making an appearance. Then, I found some begonia blooms wonderfully illuminated by sunlight streaming through the overhead green canopy.

None of the criteria I had envisioned for a fall photograph had been met. But I think I ended up with a pleasing image. So, I need to remember Peter’s example: with God’s help, do what I can, when I can, where I am.