There are so many beautiful things in this life, each day bursting with beauty just waiting to be noticed and celebrated, all miraculous in their own way.
But sometimes I’ve missed the beauty—the holy moments—consumed by my own preoccupations. Sometimes I’ve failed to recognise that these simple moments strung together comprise my life—not a bit of which I prefer to miss. Beautiful things like a stranger’s smile, a tiny, chubby-handed wave, that first sip of morning coffee, the belly laugh of a child, and the birds’ chorus lifting in the air.
So here’s my reflection of some other beautiful things I’m thankful for today:
latte art tirelessly created by the barista who smiles though the job has its not-so-nice bits
humans who are willing to give time, talent and resources to help others
the spectacular sun on my shoulders that gives life and warmth to our planet
my visionary husband, best-friend and biggest cheerleader, who I get to walk life alongside
my children, the great loves of my life, who have brought me untold joy and laughter and whose various talents I have the joy of celebrating
dear family and friends who crowd around to support and love me and who I get to love and encourage in return
the “prayer ladies” who have bolstered my faith and enriched my life
words to string together to create something from nothing
colours to mix and swirl together on a canvas
a quiet moment to reflect, chose thankfulness and make course corrections
beautiful books that challenge and change the world
flowers and plants to care for that add colour and texture my life’s canvas
the canopy of trees to offer comforting shade and life-giving oxygen
a body to move me to the places I’m meant to tread
arms to draw in another soul reminding them they are cherished
my next breath to inhale, providing another chance to live well
eyes to see all this terrific beauty
Christ’s love and sacrifice that changed everything.
Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
What are some beautiful things you’re thankful for? I love to hear them!
Melanie Stevenson 