On Monday evening we had a very nice shower of rain at our place—the rain gauge measured an inch. Apparently it was one of those spotty showers that not everyone got; next time we may not be so fortunate. As I emptied the rain gauge the next morning, I breathed a prayer of thanks for the rain. Gift…sheer gift, all that rain. Not that the ground has been particularly dry (some farmers are having a hard time making hay), but I didn’t do a lick of work for that rain, did nothing to earn it, and nothing to deserve it. It just showed up, watered all the plants and shrubbery for us, and blessed us abundantly while we sat on the screen porch and enjoyed it. Simple, and simply blessed. A rain shower is not exactly a simple thing, what with all the convective activity of air currents, humidity, changing temperatures with altitude, etc., that go into creating a thunderstorm like this one (and how in the world does the atmosphere hold the weight of all that moisture aloft until it decides to let it go—whoosh?!), but emptying the rain gauge got me thinking about the simple things in life—the kind of things that seem small and simple at the time but in the grand view of life turn out to become hugely significant. Likely most of our mothers tried to teach us to “enjoy the simple things in life, for one day we will look back and realize they were actually big things”…or some version of that classic wisdom.
So, how about an assignment this week: create a list of simple things that have become big things for you—perhaps have even transformed your life. And if you are willing, how about posting some of them on the Weavers Church Congregation Facebook page?! Here are a few things on my list:
Someone said, “The only difference between contentment and discontent is gratitude for simple things.” So make your list! And if you have trouble sleeping, and counting sheep doesn’t help, think about more simple things to put on your list. “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, and what you will wear. Life is more than food or clothing…and if God cares for the birds and the grass of the field, will he not care for you?” (Matt.6:25-34, paraphrased). Phil Kanagy, pastor June 24, 2020
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