Tip of My Iceberg

John and I took a walk Saturday evening. The temperature had dropped a bit, a breeze was blowing gently and the sky was brilliant with the colors of the setting sun. It was an evening that made being alive–able to see beauty, smell the jasmine and hear the birds and crickets–a gift.

At a time when so much can be going poorly, it’s imperative that we take time to appreciate what we do have, what is genuinely good in our lives.

So much easier to say than do.

I woke up Sunday morning feeling sicker than a dog. (You’ve got to ask where that saying came from. Our dog was never really sick. Not sicker than me anyway.) My attitude was not one of gratitude. I was moaning and groaning and generally feeling sorry for myself. And making the day painfully uncomfortable for my husband.

Twelve hours from a happy heart to being tanked.

And it wasn’t even that bad.

How quickly I lost sight of what was really important. How quickly I allowed my discomfort to submarine my awareness of what I have that is worth being grateful for.

Life can be very hard, I don’t deny that. We live in a broken, messy world that can turn our hopes upside down and make our hearts question what is right and what isn’t. Too often when we look for the sunset, we’re disappointed by clouds that mask what we know is really there.

The sun comes up and goes down each day, whether we see it happen or not.

I know I want the brilliant skies, the beautiful colors, the gentle breeze. I desire the joy and the happy-ever-afters. But life is filled with so much more than what appears to be good. Desirable.

And no matter what, God trumps all. He alone is good. All the time.

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make Him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.”  Psalm 19:1-4a

All of His creation trumpets the wonder and glory of God. They may not have the words to say, but who is going to argue with a rainbow? Who will belittle a waterfall cascading down a mountain? Who will complain about the beauty of a single flower in full blossom? And how do we question the glory of a sunrise? Each speaks of the wonder and existence of God, who loves us so much that He gave us so many things to enjoy.

It’s a choice I need to make each day. Will I be grateful? Will I complain?

Every day is a new day. Every choice is a new opportunity.

God never changes. He’s in the darkness and in the light.