Morning Devotional

Hurrying down to my back shed to get something, I went right by a beautiful daffodil that I only noticed while hustling back to my project. This stopped me dead in my tracks for some reason. As I stood there looking at the daffodil I asked myself; "When did it pop its head up?" I was out there quite a few times and it was not there. But it had to be?

As I stared at that perfect flower I thought "maybe I need to slow down a bit". Living life too fast, too hectic, I am not seeing the happenings of the now right under my nose. People, friends taking burdens off my plate, lifting me up and I do not notice because I need to do, I am busy. This flower was a perfect reminder, as if the whole of God's beautiful creation could be discovered within this one flower. despite the dead all around it. 

This is the same way with grace. Grace can be tasted in one brief moment in life. When hope seems gone or the business of life is too much the great grace of God can happen out of no where. God does not need a grand back splash of mountains or ocean, you do not need to travel to some remote place. You can discover the love of God and hope anywhere at any time. God is not limited, in fact I have witnessed new life out of death. 

As I stood there at the flower, joy filled my soul. I am loved.  I thought of the fellowship, the laughter, ribbing and God moments during clean-up earlier in the day. The love seen at an open house, the love of daughters kidnapping their mom and the simple smile of a neighbor walking by. 

A simple flower, a reminder of the beauty of life and how it can happen at a moments notice, no matter how things may seem.  Let us not get too busy thinking "I must do it all", too crazy in this life not to enjoy the moments and see the love of others in our path. Let us not forget to accept the blessings of others and be a blessing as God is for us. You never know what that blessing may cause. Slow down....Happy Mother's day and I will see you later this morning.

Lord, thank you for the reminder to pause, to notice the beauty of life. Help me, Lord, to accept the love of others and see this more clearly. Father, thank you for surrounding me with good people. I give You thanks and praise in Jesus' name. Amen

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