Good things

In a post not long ago, I mentioned a chubby chickadee hop hopping ahead of me as I walked down the hill. Such a smile it brought me as he seemed to be leading the way wanting to show me his discoveries. Children do the same – eager to lead the way even when they don’t know exactly where they’re headed – excited about what’s ahead.

Then life…it has a way of taking the child out of us. Before the fall I think Adam and Eve grabbed hands leading each other to the latest discovery. In the cool of the day, I wonder if they grabbed God’s hands and were eager share what they had seen and done that day?

In the Lord’s creation He has shown us so many good things. There for our discovery, enjoyment, respite from a hard world. “You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing.” (Psalm 16:2b NIV)

I settle back as skies grow black with clouds, echoes faraway of a thunderstorm headed my way. For me a storm has a way of slowing me down from all my busyness. Outside the air takes on the scent of fresh rain. Sun rays splinter across the sky before the clouds blot them out entirely.

What is it for you? Is it the sound of waves lapping on the shore? A trek through the mountains? There’s something right here in the every day of where God has us residing that He’s put there to make us take a deep breath – to breathe in His peace, to experience true joy.

We get excited about a vacation or friends coming over or trying something new. And those are fine. But we need to have eyes to see what the Maker will use to put a smile on our face or to calm our anxious heart. Because today or tomorrow when anxiety makes every breath seem like an effort or when sorrow makes the next step feel impossible, we need to see beyond now.

“Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men. For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” (Psalm 107:8-9 BSB)

I can picture myself in eternity grabbing my Savior’s hand, running ahead, saying ‘Look at this, isn’t it amazing? And that, it’s so beautiful!’ Then glancing back over my shoulder to see Jesus’ smile of delight knowing this child of His will never tire of all His wonders. So why not start now? Let’s look for chickadees, listen for thunderclaps, take long walks on quiet roads. Perhaps it’s the way we’re meant to make it through the valleys.