In this series of posts, I’ve zeroed in on emotional pain, and reconciling struggles with faith in a loving God. But not even a melancholy person like me feels gloomy all the time. No, sometimes God provides a serendipitous experience and my spirit soars, like the morning on the way to work when a roseate sunrise greeted me and displayed the creative majesty of God. Such moments of ravishing beauty make the struggles more bearable. I was reminded of Psalm 8:1: “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Thy name in all the earth, who hast displayed Thy splendor above the heavens!”
That fleeting work of art inflated my spirit and offered more than enough zest to fill the demands of that day. When I gazed at the sunset, I was reminded of a popular saying: “Life is not a dress rehearsal. Live it to the fullest.” That morning, I lived life to the fullest by stopping to stare at the sunrise. Later that day, I penned the words that follow.
Living That Makes Sense
Soak up the sunrise.
Work will wait. Absorb the Lord’s art.
Let eye-popping hues heat up your heart.
Crunch the crisp apple.
Relish its juice running down your chin
before you choose to bite it again.
Ball up the blowing snow.
Let red-cold fingers form snowmen;
frosty flakes melt on face’s skin.
Listen! Don’t just hear
when brown leaves scrunch beneath your shoe,
or contented cats purr on cue.
Life is a sponge. Fill it, then seize it.
With all your might, twist it and squeeze it.
When has the Lord gifted you with a serendipitous time of joy?
The poem sums it up well. When I fall into a pity party, it is usually as a result of being hurt by someone who professes to be a Christian. When it continues over and over I find myself wearing down. The only thing that keeps me going is knowing that God has a purpose in all things and that I am not responsible for someone else’s actions but I am responsible for my reactions. My prayer is that God will be glorified through these trials. Observing God’s creation reminds me that He is glorified!
Thanks for your note, Cheryl. Good words. Terry
When I take a moment to look at the world with the wonderment of my childhood, or on those days that I easily feel offended I think of those days when as a child forgiveness seemed to come easy. Although with age has also come an appreciation of the little things, times I can sit and enjoy a good book, or catch an inspiring sunset, laughing with family and friends or the crispness of a day and the coolness of a breeze. I think God is faithful to provide those special moments daily, it seems when I am receptive enough to look for them, that it is then when I experience them. Acknowledging Him and thanking Him, for He is good.
Thanks for your note about the post, Carol I assume this is John’s wife, but either way, thanks for reading it and share it w. anyone U think could profit from it. Terry on 9/30