Do you remember Thornton Wilder’s insightful play, Our Town? In it Emily returns from heaven to earth for just one more day. She chooses an ordinary day, by anyone else’s standards.
I had one of those days on Saturday. It was, by anyone else’s standards, and even mine, an ordinary day. But it was full of Godincidences, and the joy of doing, going, enjoying, and I’m grateful for it.
I’m reminded that in Larry’s words, any day we’re seeing daisies and not pushing them up from our graves is a great day, after we’ve reached the three-score-and-ten, or as Jean says, we’re living on borrowed time. But I know that the Lord blesses us each day to be a blessing to others, and that he must have something more for me to do than dwell on the ultimates.
That being said, Saturday was just an ordinary day, but I’m extraordinarily thankful for it.
A little time on the porch, reading Ezekiel, my current Bible study, praying for my brother and his cancer struggle, thankful to the Lord for the rains which brightened my garden, watching the birds and squirrel at the feeders, smelling the fragrance of the roses, and just thankful for the day. That’s how any good day should start.
Then I wrote for a while. That’s my creative outlet these days. I’m writing my newest book, a memoir, recalling the stories and gratefully revisiting the legacy, and sending Bless You Bouquets to those who have invested in the person I’ve become. Even in recounting the Merritt Island years, when the kids were teenagers and we were struggling carrying two mortgages and facing very real financial issues, I’m so amazed at the Lord’s provision and guidance. Never once did we feel adrift and without His abiding presence. I so want to convey that to those who will read our story.
Then Ev and I worked in the garden and on the front of the house, making our place pretty. Working on projects together is a joy we enjoy. We were soon hot and sweaty and relished in the sense of accomplishment which rewards our efforts. A little work, a little play. Retirement is not such a bad place to be!
Then our sweet Nancy suggested a shopping trip to Vero Beach outlet stores. Now those of you who know me understand that I hate shopping with a passion. But when it’s focused on stuff for Kaley and our in-the-womb little one to be born in October, I’m ready.
After finding just the right things at just the right prices, we enjoyed a lovely lunch, and missed the downpours that were promised until we were returning home. Then the heavens opened. We were safe, with the Lord’s hedge of protection around us, and heard from Paul and Mary that we were invited for dinner. How delightful!
So what could be better than seeing all my children in the same day, playing with and watching our Kaley on the eve of her second birthday, and after bedtime, playing a rousing board game with our kids?
Yes, it was a perfect day. Of course, the iced tea I sipped for the evening extended that day to half the night when I couldn’t sleep, but that just gave me more reflection time on the day, and gave me the impetus to write this piece. Upon returning home, our cat Zach was in a tizzy because of the thunder and lightning that occurred while we were away. That meant he needed to be close to us instead of locked up in the laundry room where the kitties usually spend the night.
So, my perfect day lasted until after 2:00 a.m. with two purring kitties, one on each leg, and a peacefully sleeping husband. I knew I could rest in the knowledge that I was in the right place at the right time, and this very ordinary day had been special after all.
When we look for blessings, we find them, in the ordinary things we’re provided for the day. With David in Psalms we can enjoy the Lord’s enduring prosperity because He makes the ordinary so very special. Psalm 122 says: “May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadesl. For the skae of my brothers and friends, I will say, ‘Peace be within you.’ For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.”
Let others worry about the economy, the Washington scandals, the trials, the negatives. I choose to thank Him who is the Rock of Ages, the one who most assuredly has my back, and wants only the best for me and mine. That’s not just Godincidence. That’s His enduring promise for every moment if we take the time to be aware of His presence in the little things of life.
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