Relax Enjoy Appreciate

 Relax and Enjoy

We are invited today to take time to appreciate things like nature, the birds and the flowers, hearing the gurgling of water in a stream and the feeling of warm sunshine on our skin. 

For many of us that will mean that we have to be intentional about stopping the things we get involved with and refocus our attention on these peaceful life giving things around us.  What if we were to do this?

Just for today I will take a quiet half hour all by myself to relax, think about, and enjoy all that God has done and continues to do for me.

Jesus even used the example of the birds and flowers to teach us about not living in stress and worry and distraction, but in joyful trust in His goodness.

Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?

Luke 6:26

Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.

Luke 6:28-29

Whether it’s a walk down the street or a hike in a park there are lots of moments where we can pause and reflect on all that’s lovely and let that peace and goodness seep into our souls.

It might require that we turn off the digital gadget and  just be willing to enter into quiet, but God will meet us there and bless us.

Heavenly Father, Help us today to take time to relax and enjoy our environment, let our emotions settle down, and our thoughts be free to take notice of the natural loveliness of the world around us You have created for us. 

Give us eyes to see and ears to hear the good that surrounds us and let the deep recesses of our souls be filled with the joy and blessing You are making available to us. 

Strengthen our hearts as we remember that the God who created all the amazing beauty around us is also the God who is on our side and who promises to care for us and provide for us today. 

So, once again we ask You, Loving God to quiet our hearts and minds and help us to simply take time today to appreciate and give You thanks.  Amen