In this Simple Moment

It's amazing how God manifests Himself  in the simplest moments.

Last Wednesday, after a failed attempt to make it to the Tidal Basin for the cherry blossom season sunrise, I trekked to the city after work to catch the 7:30 pm sunset. 

I took a different route than I generally would (started from L'enfant plaza) and just like that, I've reached the very spot that gave me the perfect view of the Jefferson Memorial, the tidal basin and the sunset. The only problem was really is that I had to wait 45 minutes before it gets to the horizon and waiting is not really my strongest virtue. 

6:25 pm

Nonetheless, this is one of those things that I just knew this is what I wanted; so I set myself up and started the waiting game.

6:26 pm

I amused myself for a bit by watching an engagement shoot to my right and a maternity shoot to my left. When both moved on, I contented myself watching the people pass me by.

6.34 pm

6:40 pm

6:50 pm

6:55 pm

Lovers, families, friends, runners, bikers, single people, dogs, kids, senior citizens, etc, they all crossed my view. Just as the view in front of me was slightly changing, so were the people walking by.

6:57 pm

6:41 pm

6:54 pm

7:00 pm

But just as there was activity, there was also stillness where it was just me, the cherry blossoms, the sunset and the wind. It was in the stillness that I felt grace passing through me. While I was looking at the sun set, within me was a dawning realization that I am blessed and loved by God. In this simple moment, I felt that God was manifesting Himself and filling me with His love.

I did not last until 7:30 pm. At some point, I helped take a picture of a mother and son which is one of my favorite pictures I've taken thus far. Unfortunately, it was taken on her camera and I have no copy to show. After we parted ways, I took one last shot and that was it. At 7:07 pm, I got the shot that I wanted and I was happy a clam.

7:07 pm

I walked away from the scene and enjoyed walking the rest of the National Mall as it was approaching twilight. I really felt Him that day and I have pictures to prove it.

***All photos are taken by me with a camera phone (Samsung Galaxy s6 edge +) using the manual setting.