The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies
never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your
faithfulness. Lamentations 3:23
I love these fall mornings. The freshness of the cool air
and rising sun on all the vegetation covered in dew is amazing. I think I must
have been required to memorize this text
as a child in school at some point because it pops in my head often as I make
the trip.
As much as possible, I try to take advantage of the option
of biking to school when the weather allows as it has many times this month
already. It is good for my health, it costs less, and it is good for the
environment. I’ve also realized that it is good for me in another way. The
fifteen minute bike ride to and from school forces me to be observant about my
surroundings, and notice change. Much different than driving my vehicle, I
notice the smell of freshly mown grass, lilac bushes, even people’s cooking
from time to time. I see birds and squirrels fluttering about and notice an
elderly gentleman’s efforts to revive a tree that nearly died last winter.
Our weekly chapel this morning challenged students to extend
our theme of “Walk in the Way of Love” to a way of looking with purpose at the
smallest of places with appreciation and thankfulness for God’s blessing. Food
on a plate, a favorite painting on a wall, or even the sunlight streaming in
your window are evidence of God’s good
creation created for our delight and pleasure. We may have our attention drawn
to things that are more epic or exotic, however we do well to recognize these
gifts which are much more common around us as we go about our daily rhythm of
life.
The “small spaces” things that I am grateful this morning
are the sounds of happy, content JK
& SK students outside my door, the sway of a majestic tree in the breeze
outside my window, and a picture hanging on my wall which reminds me of the
group who gave it me.
We pray our students will develop a spirit of thankfulness for the everyday
things that make life beautiful. What do you notice today?
SJ
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