Devotional 3-4-09

As I sit in church on Sunday morning and gaze at the beautiful surroundings of the stained glass windows it is so easy to have a thankful heart. The light shines on the windows and creates a variety of colors, the intensity of that light changing often during the worship service. As we share in a time of praise we share the joys of friends being healed, a new child or grandchild born, tests confirming no problems, families united. Do we stop to think that these are gifts that we are given?

Then there are days when the light in the windows is not as bright and shining. Days when we do not feel surrounded by this beauty. The days when friends share their fear in facing chemo or surgery, the days we share the loss of a member of our church family, the days we face losses that devastate.

In Genesis we read God’s word as he makes a covenant with Abraham, where he commits to be the God of Abraham and all of his descendants. This means we are assured that God is with us, and if we let go and let him he has wonderful gifts to give to each of us. Gifts like sun shine, rain, fresh air, a purpose in life, the colors of the glass, a smile, food to eat, knowing that there are those around us who care. As we look at the windows can we remember the gifts that we take for granted, the gifts that God gives us each day.

I am reminded of the words of a song written by Natalie Sleeth.

Hymn of Promise

In the bulb there is a flower;
in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise;
butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter
there’s a spring that waits to be,

There’s a song in every silence,
seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness,
bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future;
what it holds, a mystery,

In our end is our beginning;
in our time infinity;
In our doubt there is believing;
in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection;
at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.

Dear God, May we always be reminded of the gifts we are given, may we not take them for granted, but celebrate them as we celebrate your life. Amen

Marilyn Holleron

March 4: Like to make things? Give a penny for every hand made item displayed in your home.