Evening Graces

     I think I am tasting just the tiniest crumb or the teensiest sip of heaven right now.  Night is just beginning to fall.  Daylight is fading, crickets are singing an evening chorus, birds are still rejoicing aloud in praise of this fine day.  Moses and I just took a short jaunt on the greenway, and now he lies sprawled at my feet on the deck outside while we listen in wonderment to the glorious cacophony of God's good sounds.  Have you taken the time lately to go outside at dusk and just quietly listen?  Wow.  No wonder Jesus told the kill-joy Pharisees (in their fury over the people shouting "Hosanna!" to Jesus), "I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out!" (Luke 19:40)  The early nighttime seems to be crying out a gentle but insistent praise to it's Creator.  And someday the stones themselves will join the chorus.
     We hear.  But we also see.  Another reason for praise.  Darkening shadows, then a tiny splash of neon brightness: the intermittent flash of lightening bugs--what wondrous little creatures!  What a God who would create such golden flashes in the midst of the gathering darkness. Or the swooping swallows--soaring, falling, in graceful dances in the sky.  Look outside this evening and catch just the smallest glimpse of Your Almighty God's greatness.  "... no eye has seen, nor ear has heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him." (I Cor.2:9)  Such beauty on this earth... can you even begin to imagine heaven?
     So thank You Lord.  Thank You for all that we hear, for all that we see, for all that we smell.  For gardenias and fresh cut grass and crushed mint and the scents carried on the sea breezes or mountain wind. Thank You for these moments of peace to refresh and renew us... and for times of tumult that get us moving and acting and living in dependence upon You.
     Thank You for families to love and sports to cheer for and homes in which to rest and eat and love and grow.  Thank You for the song of salvation that seems to grow ever dearer and sweeter every year.  John Newton said in his last sermon just before he died, that he was a very old man, and his memory was failing.  But there were two things he could never ever forget: that he was a great sinner and Christ was a great Savior.  Yes, Lord--this great sinner praises You, my great and glorious Savior.  May the memory of Your mercy drive Your people to their knees.  In repentance.  In worship.  In gratitude that spills over into lives overflowing with mercy and grace and love.  
     Tonight, go outside and praise the Creator whose goodness never ever fails.  Look up at the stars and be reminded that "The heavens declare the glory of God.  The skies proclaim the work of His hands." (Ps.19:1)  And He who formed the most distant galaxy, made and knows even the very hairs on your head.  There is no God like our God.   To the God whose mercies are new every morning, but whose evening graces are just as sweet and satisfying, be all the glory.