Otiose (adj.); being at leisure; idle; indolent

Yesterday was the 2017 Solar Eclipse. An event in which the moon passes in front of the sun causing incredible solar flares in addition to darkness and temperature drops. It will not be visible in North America again until 2024. I will tell you that I ignored the hype for as long as I could because I truly did not care. I planned to sleep until at least 11AM on Monday because after finishing my summer quarter on Friday, I am officially on Summer break. (Yippee!) However, late Sunday night I figured that I should make a pin-hole viewer just in case. So I did. Believing that I wouldn't use it. 

The Eclipse would begin around 9:30 and end around 11:30, with optimal viewing time around 10:30. My alarm went off Monday morning at 9:30, and I hit snooze. Honestly I wasn't buying into the hype. I did, however, get up at 10:15 so I could see the optimal viewing and ended up staying until it completed. Although I recognized how cool the event was, I still didn't buy into the hype. It was cool, but I found it to be a little anti-climactic. 

I stayed outside because I was listening to my neighbors. On the other side of the fences, I could hear parents explaining the events to children. I heard children who were shocked at how dark it got. I heard friends who had gathered together to watch. I realized how truly special the Solar Eclipse was because it did something extremely rare; it literally brought the entire United States together. Most citizens of the United States jointly viewed the event and posted their pictures. The social aspect of everyone interested in the same thing, was truly one to be documented. If you have turned on your television or been on social media in the last year, you know that our nation has been divided on more than one instance. It has caused tension, destruction, and heartache. However, on August 21st, 2017, millions of people decidedly agreed to attend the same event; the Solar Eclipse. 

On the same day, though not necessarily at the same moment, the entire world was at leisure. People took breaks from work and looked to the sky. It was a moment that this world needed. The world needed to unify for a single minute- even if it was over something as common as the sun and the moon. Hundreds and thousands of people gathered in central locations to watch. My university even hosted an event. People cheered "go moon" as the sky darkened. 

Through this event, I have realized that God's timing is perfect. He is never early and never late- whether you believe it or not. God gave our nation something we could focus on all together at the perfect moment. For a single day, he gave peace to our world. In the midst of rioting and destruction, we got to focus on creation. God divined the right day and the right time for millions of people to be brought back to the basics. 

My life the last couple months have been hectic to say the least. Summer Quarter has truly given be a run for my money. Somehow, I have had less time than I do during the regular school year. Today, was a day of peace. I had nothing to do. No where to be. The eclipse brought me a moment of tranquility when I felt like I couldn't catch my breath. 

I reflected on the other times in which God has so clearly proved that he has known what he is doing all along. He has taken people out of my life at times I thought I needed them the most, but given me people at the same time who would prove to be lifelong friends. He has taken me out of situations at times that I deemed too early, only to show me that he had a greater plan that needed to start sooner. 

For that, I am thankful for the Solar Eclipse. I am thankful for timing. I am thankful for God's provision. 

For anyone who read this whole thing, (first, thanks!) I challenge you to take a moment to truly think about timing, Think about how catching a red light on the way to work, even though you may be late, can save you from an accident, getting pulled over, or otherwise. Its the little things. Think about the little things. 

He makes every thing beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11