The Saturday Journal: These Moments--They are Big Deals

She comes to the office once a week or so–delivering mail–picking up mail. She’s always in a hurry it seems.  She smiles–she says hello–says have a good day as she leaves.  But on this particular morning it was different. She stopped and pulled her phone out of her pocket and said to me, ‘I have something I want to show you.’ 

And on her phone screen was a photo of a newborn–only a few hours old–fresh from heaven.  ‘This is my new grandbaby,' she said as she smiled. 'This is my seventh grandchild. I have seven children.  I can’t wait to see the baby. She’s my daughter’s baby. They live three hours away.’  And she told me of the difficult time her daughter had–struggling with infertility and then she said, ‘This baby is a miracle baby. I believe that–my daughter says the same.’

And right there in the very first verse, the prophet Ezekiel writes, The heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. (Ezekiel 1:1, KJV) 

The morning opens to pink clouds traveling across the sky–a squirrel hangs from the bird feeder–his jaws so tight with the bounty of seeds, it seems they will burst. The fern hanging from the little porch–it sways–fluttering to the dance of the wind–a wind I can’t see–only hear–but I know who sends the wind. 

This writer–author, he’s written this book about a terrible injustice–a murder that happened in the 1950’s.  And while writing and researching for the book, he had the great privilege of spending many hours with the victim’s cousin–who now is in his eighties. The author, in this interview–and please know, I’m taking a few liberties with his spoken words–this is not verbatim. But what I heard was this, ‘I’ll be honest with you (talking to the interviewer), I’ve always been on the fence about faith.  But after spending time with this man–learning about his life–his convictions–what he has lived through–the way he talked about heaven–how he knows his days are short–the way he talks–believes–his spirit–his life--it all makes me want to believe in a higher power.’

And right there in the book of Romans, the apostle Paul writes, So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17, KJV)

I was at a local farmer's market and this farmer had the most beautiful of plants. I pointed to the plant and asked him, 'what kind of flower is this? He said it was a native plant–likes sun and shade—a perennial that spreads.

This is just one of the many beauties about local farmers markets. You meet the nicest people and they take time to talk with you--truly speak to you.

Now I had to have this beauty. I paid him for the plant and as he handed me the beautiful Virginia bluebell, he said, 'Please give it a good home and take care of it.'

And I promised the farmer I would.

But every spring since then I have broken that promise. The Virginia  Bluebell—the blooms haven’t been as vibrant or the leaves as green as it was when I brought it home.

Truth is, I didn't taken care of it as I should. As I promised.

And last spring as the soil was growing warmer with every sunlight I noticed the little bluebell springing forth from winter. And the little plant—well it’s grew from one plant into three—the colors vibrant--the bells, the color of pink and blue skies. God multiplied the blessing, all the while I had taken it for granted.

Isn’t this just like God? He continues to give us these blessings--these visions of His goodness–gives us ears to hear of His grace and mercy–and yet, we more times than not–brush them off–too busy to see–to busy to hear–not now. Nobody has time to stop and gaze at the morning sky. Oh I’ve seen that pink sky before, it's no big deal.  

BUT--it is a big deal–I’ve never seen this pink sky on this day. That same pink sky won’t come again–neither will this day.  

I don’t know about you–but on some days I’m just tired and weary. And it has nothing to do with God and everything to do with this world.  He shows me each and every day He’s on the throne, and sadly, I miss more than I see–spend time listening to more of what doesn’t matter–than listening for His voice. 

Dear God, I’m sorry. I want to do better. Starting this day. Starting this moment. 

The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them. 

(Proverbs 20:12, KJV)

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Can you join me this coming week? Look for God more--Listen for His voice more.

And then can you share with me where you saw God? What you heard?

A story about His goodness? I would love to hear from you.

Email me at tathelmillerwriter@gmail.com

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And as always, a humble and heartfelt thank you for reading The Saturday Journal.

I am grateful for each of you and for your kind words and encouragement.

My prayer is to share The Saturday Journal every Saturday or at least bi-weekly--

and the stories shared here in this space will bless you in some small way.

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All photos @copyright Tathel Miller, unless otherwise credited to another photographer.