Weeks ago, I noticed tight flower buds had popped out to decorate the bare limbs on my Bradford pear tree. A glance out my kitchen window days later revealed one cluster of newborn blossoms bouncing in the breeze. Like God’s blessings in the Bible, the tiny flowers offered hope of more than I could see—more growth and beauty to come. More of God’s blessings. More opportunities to honor my Lord and serve others. Around town I noticed purple flowers on Japanese magnolias and clumps of sunny daffodils. But I enjoyed the signs of spring in my yard and neighborhood…
Tag: Lamentations 3:22-23
How Winter Frost and Manna Remind Us of God’s Love and Faithfulness
Winter frost sparkles on our lawn like diamonds and reminds me of God’s provision. The higher the sun rises, the more reflections shine from the tiny ice crystals on the tips of the grass blades. Bread from Heaven This morning when I looked at the frost from the kitchen window, I thought of the manna I’d recently read about in chapter 16 of Exodus. God had promised Moses He would “rain bread from heaven” for the Israelites who were traveling through the wilderness after God had delivered them from enslavement in Egypt (v. 4) *. As Moses witnessed, after the…
365 New Year’s Gifts for You
When we exchange the sweaters that don’t fit and donate duplicate items we received for Christmas, we still have more gifts to open. Yes, after the fireworks fizzle, we will awaken to God’s gift of a new year, a set of 365 days (Lord willing). Like a holiday jigsaw puzzle, the days will fit together nicely with the last piece inserted next New Year’s Eve. How shall we begin our conversation about the new year? (If you don’t mind, let’s postpone a discussion of New Year’s resolutions like losing weight and exercising, although they’re worthy goals.) Let’s begin with…
Fresh New Mornings
Ah! The freshness of a brand new day. The smells of spring and the sound of bird choruses are as bright and new as the dew glistening on the grass. Patterns of sunlight stream through the trees creating patterns on the ground. Yesterday is a memory; tomorrow is yet to come. But today is just beginning. God creates a new day each time the sun brightens the eastern skies. Would you agree that our focus when we awaken can influence the way we walk through the day? Would our morning sighs turn into deep breaths of gratitude if we viewed…