Psalm 118

The jangle of the alarm suddenly jolted me out of a deep sleep. I am so tired, I thought. It cannot be that time already. Yet it was—time to emerge from the soft, warm comfort of my cocoon. I rolled out of bed into the chilliness of the morning air, quickly pulled up the blanket, smoothed out the wrinkles, and jumped into the shower.

Moments later, dressed and ready, I headed out the door to greet the world. A light mist covered the windshield of Nessie, my SUV, as I drove down the street. Spring showers are upon us, I mused. Earlier showers had watered the desert throughout the winter months, and the wildflower display, already in process, promised to be stellar.

My eye caught sight of the ocotillos’ buds, set on the tops of their branches, waiting to erupt into reddish-orange flowers like firebrands across the desert.

I love it here! I said to myself. The mountain behind me now wore a veil of white snow after the night’s rain. The sky, a mixture of dark clouds, swirled with streams of light and splotched with occasional patches of blue. Another day stretched before me, filled with errands, doctor appointments, and more. “Dear God,” I prayed, “thank You for life, for another ordinary day. Thank You for all my blessings: a comfortable home, a loving husband, my family, and for Jesus, my Savior. Use me to bless others and to do good in my world today.” Peace and contentment filled me. My decision to enjoy life today gave me an appreciation for the rain and clouds, the beauty around me, and another ordinary day with its blessings, which could so easily be taken for granted. Most of life is made up of the ordinary.

It is the little things, the habits, attitude, attention to detail, and mindfulness in making healthy choices that build character—the only thing we will take with us to heaven. Rather than the mad quest for materialism, the competition to be first, to value the things that do not last, let us rather give our attention to thinking of others, being honest, and having integrity. When life invites us to snuggle up in comfort, it is time to stretch ourselves and reach beyond ourselves, to engage in another ordinary day and help others to see beauty amid the showers and swirling clouds of life.

Martha J. Feldbush