Keep Looking
In the heat of July, when schedules loosen and summertime haze sets in, it’s easy to feel adrift. But what if this season invites us to see more, not less? Check out this article from Living Lutheran about how one mother’s summer moment became an invitation to pay attention—to the sky, to joy, and to God’s presence in ordinary things.
In “Keep Looking,” writer Kimberly Knowle-Zeller recounts a drive with her kids when they start spotting shapes in the clouds. What begins as a bit of backseat chatter becomes something more. “If you look long enough, you can see a shape,” her son says. It’s a reminder that clarity and beauty don’t always arrive instantly. They emerge slowly when we pause and keep looking.
This summer, many of us may feel like we’re floating through the weeks, unsure of what’s next or weighed down by the news. But Kimberly invites us to try something different. Instead of rushing to fill the blank spaces, what if we slowed down and looked up? What if we paid attention?
Here are a few ways she suggests we practice presence:
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Lie in the grass and watch the sky. What shapes do you see? What memories or hopes stir?
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Make a joy list. Write down the things, big or small, that are bringing you joy right now.
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Pray over the headlines. When the world feels overwhelming, pause and lift up one person or place in prayer.
Kimberly writes, “What if we took my son’s advice and really looked to see what’s emerging?” In this quieter month, maybe that is our invitation too: to keep looking for grace, for wonder, for God.
