Sometimes life just goes on day after day, always the same. As an introvert and perfectionist, normal days that go by without any disruption are considered a favorite for me. Don’t throw extra work at me. Don’t move up a due date. Don’t add drama to my life.

Sometimes disaster strikes, and life just goes on day after day. Things are different, but it still goes on. I remember walking out of the hospital after my mother passed out of this life into her eternal life. I could not figure out why the birds were singing or why the sun was shining. It didn’t seem right that things kept on day after day.

Sometimes, in the middle of those day after day moments, God sends a love note that results in shouts of joy.

Walking in from the car, looking up, and seeing the beautiful harvest moon

Driving to work and noticing a majestic hawk soaring overhead

Reaching into the mailbox and finding a special note from a friend

Looking up from reading to notice a nuthatch at the feeder and a downy woodpecker in the tree

Waking early in the morning to see a glorious sunrise

Answering the phone to hear a little voice say, “Hi Gamma!”

Reading Psalm 121 and feeling the security of God’s arms

Hearing the doctor say, “Everything looks good!”

Finding that item for which you’ve searched for days

Finding that item you had forgotten you had

Listening to the voices of your church family praising God

Noticing an eagle’s nest high atop a telephone pole and hearing the baby eagles’ cries

Hearing the voices of children praising God around a campfire

Eating the perfect s’more

Receiving words of affirmation that warm you to your toes

Do you respond to the love notes that God sends your way with a shout of joy? And a prayer of thanksgiving?

“Oh! Thank you, Lord!”