I remember my mother saying, “Life moves faster the older you get.” I believe she was correct. Months and years zoom by, and often we overlook small joys and big blessings.
Are you so consumed with worries and activities that you fail to notice beauty, non-monetary gifts, and God’s faithfulness? Surprise reminders come when we least expect them.
Reminders of Beauty
I’m often caught off guard by unexpected beauty in nature.
This week, I’ve noticed surprise reminders of beauty. A tired Gerber daisy in a deck pot is about to bloom. Azaleas in the yard are showing off with fall blossoms. Last year’s mum, casually thrown in a pot at the end of the season, has decided to bloom after a hot bloomless summer.
God could have placed us on a stark, drab planet. Instead, He provided color and beauty, seasonal changes, and reminders of his majesty in sky, land, and sea.
Take time today to notice and appreciate the beauty of nature.
Reminders of Heritage
I visited a cousin’s wife last week. We used to go to breakfast together often, but schedules changed, and our lives flowed in different directions. It was a blessing to spend extended time with her, to laugh, and also to get a little misty-eyed reminiscing about absent husbands.
As an only child, I am thankful to have close relationships with many of my cousins. The gift of a loving family is a treasure, something many do not enjoy.
I am especially grateful for my children and grandchildren. Spending time with them is a little taste of heaven. I see family characteristics in personalities, humor, and facial expressions. When I showed my cousin’s wife pictures, she said, “You all look alike!”
A strong faith heritage is also a precious gift. I don’t take the blessing of growing up in a Christian home, and with strong faith ties on both sides of my family, for granted. When life feels like it is imploding, holding tightly to what I learned about God and his faithfulness is an anchor.
A sweet blessing for me is watching my son build woodwork creations. My builder father and lumberyard-owning grandfather are surely rocked back on their heels in their heavenly home, grinning.
Reminders of generational blessings roll forward motion into the future.
Reminders of God’s Faithfulness
I’ve been a little nostalgic in recent weeks as the calendar ticks toward what would have been our 46th anniversary. Fall reminds me of the days leading up to our November 8th wedding, and all the anniversary trips to the mountains in ensuing years. I miss Jim, but I’m thankful for God’s abiding presence and comfort in these years of widowhood.
Forward motion isn’t always easy. I still experience days when I’d rather hibernate and do nothing, but, with God’s help, I recognize and realize all the ways I am blessed. Each new day brings brings surprise reminders and reasons to rejoice and celebrate.
My oldest grandson’s baptism is this Sunday. I remember the day I was baptized, and his mother and uncle were baptized in this same church. I am grateful for children’s and youth leaders who faithfully taught me, my children, and now teach my grandchildren, about the God who loves us enough to provide forgiveness of sins, and a bridge to relationship with him through Jesus Christ. What an incredible gift! And now, to see this next generation give their hearts to Jesus. Oh, what a faithful God we serve!
“With every sun’s rising, surprise us with Your love, satisfy us with Your kindness. Then we will sing with joy and celebrate every day we are alive” (Psalm 90:14 VOICE).
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is an award-winning writer, blogger, and speaker. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotions published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
To receive Candy’s blog, Forward Motion, via email, go to https://candyarrington.com/blog/ and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.