The Liquid Amber tree in the garden has suddenly become a sea of golden yellow, red and orange leaves. They are beginning to fall, and brown leaves are blowing across the lawn. It seems to me that the change has come over night, but that is not the case. The change would have been gradual, but somehow, I didn’t take the time to notice. Perhaps the change was also so natural and a part of the life of my garden that it has taken some time for my mind to register it and to note once again how refreshingly beautiful these trees can be.
Many wonderful things continue to happen around us each day. Our children grow a little more confident, they learn new things and show excitement about the activities in which they are involved. The notes on the piano flow a little more fluently as the piece is polished for that special performance. Suddenly, instead of constantly needing to give reminders the tasks are done.
It is very easy to focus on the problems and concerns of the present moment and what we need to do, at the expense of seeing the many wonderful gifts God has woven around us. People surround us with their richness and variety of personality, knowledge and sense of fun. Nature shares with us all its splendor and provides an infinite variety of things that delight - sounds, sights, smells, tastes and textures. He gives us all these tremendous gifts for us to enjoy and to make our life refreshing. In the same way as we give good gifts to our children, God showers us with a rich array of blessings.
Wouldn’t you be sad if you bought wonderful gifts for your children and they were left to lay unused? How are you treasuring the gifts your Heavenly Father gives to you?
Neil P. Schiller