Crisp, December air greeted us as we shuffled through the fallen leaves outside the front door. Light was just beginning to peek through the lowering gray clouds, and we walked briskly to overcome the stiffness left over from a night of rest. Morning!
An entire cast of characters joined us on our journey down the isolated country road. We saw a redbird dart quickly in its search for food, and two deer catapulted across the road in front of us. Our movement was followed by the silent eyes of the gentle cows grazing in the field. We were announced by a chorus of dogs and welcomed by the soft whinnying of a horse, while overhead a red-tailed hawk swooped and soared. We had to look hard, but we saw the wild turkeys foraging in one field we passed. As the quiet seemed to crescendo around us, we were showered by a cascade of golden leaves shaken loose from their moorings by the brisk breeze. The perfectness of God’s creation was breathtaking. The comfort of my husband’s hand in mine was precious.
Simple things. Simple times.
These are the times, though, that give strength to my soul – that reset my settings and realign my heart to what is important.
God is important.
Love is important.
Family is important.
People are important.
All the material things we work for and worry about and fret over are important only in the context of how they serve God and the people and principles above. They are not an end in themselves.
If we get the above priorities right, the other things fall into perspective.
Today, I can choose to focus on the important.
Today, I can choose to be thankful for God’s provision.
Today, I can choose love over malice or irritation.
Today, I can look for a way to help someone, whether family or stranger. I may not have much, but I can share what I have.
Today, I can walk with God,
and that, my friend, is a treasure.
Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Matthew 6: 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[b] 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Note to Reader: Even as I was writing this, my heart was burdened for those who have lost loved ones recently and those whose families are estranged. My heart aches for the lonely.
This I know – We may not be called to walk the path that we would choose, but walking with God is still a treasure. Trust Him. Just like Abraham, you will find that He is your shield and your exceeding great reward.
Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
Blessings to you,
Beth
GraceSpeak 