The simplest and the best things in life are free, aren't they? A spectacular fall day. The camaraderie of siblings. The warmth of a hot mug of tea. The clean, bracing smell of autumn air. The laugher of children. The anticipation and excitement of the change of seasons (which means Thanksgiving's coming--my favorite holiday!) The sound of the first bird singing in the early morning (I heard it today--way to go, little guy! You're the first one to rejoice in the new day with a happy chorus!)
The joy of being in this moment--this one, right now--and thanking God for the gift of being alive.
"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes it boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." (Ps.34:1-2)
What a difference that perspective will make in our days--rejoice in the Lord at ALL times and with praise continually on our lips. Ready to praise Him for boys playing football...and hot baths...and pumpkin cake...but also carpool lines (that means our children can go to school)...and laundry (someone in your life to love)...and doctor's visits (medical care readily available)...and car problems (you have a car)...and fresh new starts on a bright new morning. "Morning by morning, new mercies I see."
Open our eyes, Father, to see Your mercies. How often do we rush about in our busyness and haste or in our frustration and disappointment and we miss all the wonders of a new day that You, in Your grace, have given us.
Too impatient. Too preoccupied. Too self-absorbed. And so we miss it.
I've always loved Ps.119:18 "Open my eyes to the wondrous things from Your law." Yes, open our eyes, Lord, to all the joyous promises and provision of Your love letter to us, the Bible. Open our eyes to You and Your glory, as revealed in Your Word, in Your world, and in the wonders of all the daily gifts all about us. Take us off of autopilot and help us to be fully engaged and tuned in to You and Your wonders.
We may not have tomorrow to rejoice. So let's do it today. Slow us down, Lord. Slow us down today so that we might truly see and savor and then rejoice.
We're in this together--so "magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." To God be the glory.
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