In The Ordinary

If you have lived long enough to walk through some of life’s challenges, you may have noticed that the miracle is often in the ordinary. There are no thunderbolts or lightning. The blessing, the answer to prayer comes in the ordinary. The story is told of the Apostle Paul encountering shipwreck while being transported to Rome as a prisoner. God promised him that no lives would be lost. He believed. God, however, didn’t step in with a heavenly submarine to rescue them. After the ship was broken to pieces, lives were saved by practical means. Scriptures indicate that, ‘..those who could swim…[jumped] overboard first and get to land. The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely’ (Acts 27:44). God doesn’t always show up with angels and a fiery chariot. He shows up very often in the simple everyday.

Dear Lord:

I confess that I sometimes miss you in the ordinary. The smile and hugs of my loved ones when the days are tough. The meal provided for me at the end of a difficult day. That phone call that came in at the right time. That song that played on my car radio that spoke volumes to my heart and uplifted my spirit. The missing item that I finally found today. What you do in my body in the midnight hours- the healing, the refreshing and restoration that take place while I sleep. That sweet power nap I got after a challenging night. You watched over us when we left the front door unlocked all night. You love us in the ordinary.

The raindrops that fall to water my plants or wash my car when I’m too busy. The sun bursting through the dark clouds when we thought it wouldn’t. Yesterday while driving, I got all green lights when I was running late – I arrived on time with no accidents. The item that somehow was on sale just when I needed it. The salary increase, the check in the mail, and that bonus that came just in time. The doors that opened without any effort on my part. The ones that were closed to spare me heartache and pain. Meeting that person when I did. The one who later played such a pivotal role in my todays and tomorrows. Thank You for showing up in the ordinary. May I never forget that sometimes You are present in the silence -in the quiet when no words are needed. Thank You for being the God who is ‘there’ – Jehovah Shammah.

‘ Your grateful child’

***Thanks for reading- Let’s be thankful for the everyday moments that adds beauty to the ordinary.