Hurry Ruins Saints

on May 19, 2011 by Walt Dilg

Hurry Ruins Saints

It's a sentiment written on a refrigerator magnet I saw in a small religious book store one day.  My eyes were drawn to the interesting graphics, yet my mind got wrapped up in the words.  Hurry Ruins Saints.  Ouch... being an impatient and somewhat hyperactive person, it spoke to me.  

I was reminded of that magnet's wisdom today as I read about an interesting social experiment done in a Washington, DC Metro station.  The Washington Post sponsored it.  Famed violinist Joshua Bell (incognito) played six exquisite Bach pieces on a $3.5 million dollar violin. It took about an hour or so.  Now hundreds of people passed by him while he was playing.  Only 20 people stopped to listen for a brief minute of so, most all just hurried by.  Researchers noticed that many children paid attention to the music though.  They paused and turned to see, yet were pushed onward by their parents.  Though the kids attempted to linger and absorb the moments of beautiful music, their parents had deadlines and commitments and train schedules to meet and pressed forward.  

As the person concludes his report on this experiment, we read these words: "If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made... how many other things are we missing?"  Makes you wonder... doesn't it?!  

Hurry Ruins Saints.  Take a breath.  Slow down.  Look around.  Listen.  It's all a gift from God to you.  Appreciate.  Give thanks.  Ahhhhhhhhmen.