Waking with the sun.  And the windows open. Listening as a nearby cardinal sings his sweet song.  Thanking God for the man lying by my side.  And a delicious night’s sleep.

Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Yet, sometimes I struggle, preferring to whine fleshly when things seem too hard or dauntingly uncomfortable.

But even in the gray days and foul weather — the routine and the storms of life — there is much to be thankful for.

So on my lunchtime walk with Him, I leave my 9 to 5 in the office. Opening the door to step outside, my heart leaps at His treasures of grace.

A brilliant blue arches overhead and a warming March sun casts soft shadows of budding limbs.

A view of the Highlands and the majestic Hudson River, glisten in springtime splendor.

Children at a nearby school frolic and laugh during recess.

A church steeple, weathered by age and the pounding of storms past, reaches beyond the treetops.

Pointing in the direction of home…

Not the cedar shingled, four bedroom across the river. But my real home.

For I am a sojourner in a dry and weary land. Longing for home with every breath I take, even when I don’t realize it, even when I forget.

That’s why I’m setting my heart still.  With Him in every moment of every day. Seeing Him best when I mind my manners, saying thank you for every good and perfect gift from above.

And the grace of God is in the first tiny butterfly of the season, all pale yellow in silent flitting flight.

Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
Ephesians 5:20

Smiling on the exhale for this one magnificent, messy, mundane, and marvelous life He has given.

Grateful for the way He loves me. And for all the love in my life, both old and new.

And to be a tiny part of His grand story. Never ending story full of grace, with giftings large and small.

The magic word will always be thanks.

Gratitude ushers me into the glory of God.  And my heart melts…

There’s so much more than meets my eye when I decide to lift the shade of perceived drudgery, or selfish entitlement, and look wide with eyes of faith.

Endowed with the ability to be all that God created me to be, I dare to dream, take a risk. Risking what I think is life in order to receive life from His hand.

I find myself roused from a stupor – neglectful, blinded hardness.

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Romans 1:21

Rubbing eyes open to savor the lush what is in each moment and offer simply, thanks. Changing by intent, recognizing Him, His gifts and all I have.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1Corinthians 15:57

In the evening cool, a chorus of peepers. Those amazing frogs, harbingers of spring, sing their little hearts out and my own turns a saited smile, and the sun slips below the distant, gentle hills.

Later, lay me down to sleep, cozy snug next to Dearest Husband on one side and a visiting pup on the other.

Last to slumber, surrounded by his strong and her soft, warm. And she rolls on her back, paws in the air, doggy dreams twitching.

Tired, I thank God for all of this, and pray for my nearest and dearest.  Sleep comes slowly, as it does so many other frustrating, fussy nights, but this evening, in this moment, I choose to look to Him and see His hand, a large, masculine mitt, encompassing mine.

A honey of a moment.  All golden.  And so very good.

Hushed. Stilled. Secure.

Peace-filled, eyelids flutter heavy. The glory of this day done holds me close and my heart overflows with His Grace…

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:15-17

~sheila