A simple thank you for sun

       Oh the simple, happy moments of life: sitting outside in the sun--yes, I said the SUN--with Mr. Bingley.

       After all the rain, drizzle, grey, and more rain, that first glimpse this morning of the beautiful blue sky brought joy almost unimaginable.  Such a simple, daily reality, right?  The blue sky.  The warmth of the sun.  Every morning, God graciously gives us a new day and causes the sun to rise once more...yet we just go our merry way and take it all for granted.  Hardly a glance at the sky or a prayer of thanks for the illumination.
       Well, until today.  Nearly everyone I passed had a smile on their faces for the sheer wonder of the sun...the sky...the beauty of fall no longer hidden and blanketed under the relentless grey rain.
        So nothing profound--just gratitude for the extraordinary blessings of our great God's creation.             Thankful for the gift of breathing cool, clean air.  For laughter with friends at Bible study.   For the shrill cry of the hawk as Mr.B and I sat outside.  For the peace of reading God's Word.  For the sound of your child's voice on the phone.  For the glorious warmth of the sun on my face.  For the crunchy bright taste of a big old salad...and the sweet smooth delight of chocolate cake.  For the sound of the wind blowing through the trees.  For the fun of belting out a song in your car (and hoping no one is watching).  For the happy remembrance of love and life shared with dear friends and family.  For a steaming hot bath at the end of the day...and a good book in bed.  
        Some days require a bit--or a lot--of slogging.  Of hanging in there and knowing tomorrow will be better.  Of believing that even on those kinds of days, God is working and moving in wonderful ways you cannot see and do not know.  Because He is.  He always is.
      But then there are days like today.  When the sheer joy of being alive on this planet and knowing you are loved by the God of the universe simply knocks your socks off.   And you want to sing and dance in the sun and breathe deep and laugh hard and love well.
       And so all I can say is, thank You, Father.  Thank You for each day.  Each day of rain and of sun.  Thank You for the gift of life.  Thank You for people to love, for work to do, for beauty to savor.              I'm reminded of the words of Henry Van Dyke: "Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look at the stars."
       Yes, Lord, thank You.  Might we live this and everyday for Your glory and by Your grace.
        To God be the glory.