Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!” I love this verse and the Sunday school tune to which I first learned it. I love the bright outlook and relentless gratitude it advocates. Like many of the most memorable instructions from the Bible, I find it is surprisingly difficult to live out though. Rejoice in this day. Be glad in this very moment. This is the day!
For me, the tough part isn’t the gratitude and gladness. Even in the darkest times, I’m pretty good at searching out a silver lining. For me, the toughest part is just being in the moment. The psalm says, “let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
A few years ago I read this quote from author Sharon Salzberg: “We live in a fog, or in our heads, oblivious to many daily moments that might offer the possibility for richness in our lives. In an ordinary day we can be moving so fast that we lose touch with quieter moments of happiness that could nourish and sustain us.” I suspect some of us can relate to that. So much of our time is spent on autopilot, going through all the usual motions without really seeing or hearing or feeling any of it. I started to pray, “Lord, help me to be awake, alive, and attentive to all the quiet blessings you provide to nourish and sustain me.”
Here are some of the quiet blessings I experienced shortly after praying that prayer:
As I led my monthly worship service at Neighbors of Dunn County, I took delight in singing along with a small group of residents including a woman who is 100 years young and still sings with even more energy and enthusiasm than I usually do.
As I met for breakfast with several of my Lutheran, Catholic, and Episcopalian clergy colleagues here in Menomonie one morning, I appreciated the sense of camaraderie and mutual respect and love we have for one another as we share this work of ministry in this community.
After worship one Sunday recently I received a sweet gesture of love from my middle son, Noah. He prepared a cup of tea and brought it to me in the narthex me because he knew I might get wrapped up in too many other conversations that I might not make it all the way down to the fellowship hall in time to get refreshments for myself.
After driving Alex and his friends home fro
m youth group, I found my husband Ryan and our two younger boys in the backyard, sitting around a campfire. I joined them and marveled at how bright the stars were that night.
As you work at being more fully present in each moment, I hope you find your days are filled with many quiet blessings to nourish and sustain you too. May we recognize that each day is a day the Lord has made that we might rejoice and be glad in it!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Wendy
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