This day began with so many promises and blessings. Dawn broke, light came, the sun rose higher, the clouds moved. With daylight came the blessing of  being alive and enjoying life in one of the prettiest places on earth. There was the promise of going to church, worshiping our God, hearing the Word and letting its power change my heart. Jesus promised to be with us where two or more are gathered and so, just as He promised, He was present among us, both speaking to us and listening to our prayers.

Today was the gift of being with old friends and seeing new faces; it was hoping that those missing would come home soon. There was communion both during the service and afterward when we gathered as disciples, practiced the Gospel and enjoyed the table laden with good food.

There were a hundred blessings in the last twelve hours. I don’t know what they all were and I don’t have to. Our God is overly generous and I find it is good to say, “Thank you, Father for every hidden gift” .

Now twelve hours later, I reflect backward to the morning. Were those morning promises fulfilled? Was hope realized? Did joy come unexpectedly? Did light enter the dark niches? Did I live as well as I could as close to God as I wanted?

The answer is both yes and no. Expectations are not promises. Like a blustery wind coming from nowhere, not everything went well. I got in the way of myself, stumbled and fumbled , had both insights and blind spots. God gentled the wildness and fired up the deadness. It wasn’t a perfect day, but I can honestly say, “It was good. ”

I learned a song many years ago at a camp as we sat around the campfire.   I now sing it to my grandchildren at bedtime.

“Day is done, gone the sun from the lakes, from the hills, from the sky./All is well, safely rest. God is nigh.”

The day is done. The fire of the sun is gone but  God is nigh and has been near all day. We can rest safely because He also promises to be near all through this night. The amazing miracle? God willing, tomorrow I get to live in  another day of promises and blessings.

EAG (Friede)