Wednesday, March 18, 2026 – Lent Five

“And what were all the flocks and herds I met as I came?” Esau asked. Jacob replied, “They are a gift, my lord, to ensure your friendship.” “My brother, I have plenty,” Esau answered. “Keep what you have for yourself.” But Jacob insisted, “No, if I have found favor with you, please accept this gift from me. And what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God!” (Genesis 33: 8 -10, New Living Translation)

                I’m late starting my annual Winter’s hobby project.  I guess it’s a Spring project now. Not Lego, although it’s related somewhat.  This week, I opened a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle. Here’s the thing. The picture is that of 340 tiny faces of Lego characters, row after row of them. Every face is different. Smiling, frowning, laughing, squinting, angry, surprised, some with glasses or goggles, some with clown faces, bearded faces, male and female faces, and so on and so on.  Every face is different. All the pieces are shades of yellow and orange. This may take a while…

                Faces tell a story, don’t they? Our faces reflect our moods and demeanor. I can think of several times when someone told me to smile, that I was looking too grim or serious. It was not how I was feeling at all, but my face is “set” that way, so that I guess that I don’t always look friendly or happy. Even so, faces can be a natural indication of the person inside. When we greet someone, our faces are the first impression that another person has of us.  A warm, friendly smile says more than any number of words.

                There was a recent article in the Globe and Mail by Nolan Bryant which celebrates a genuine smile as an important quality of life to have. “In a world of unceasing bad news, there is something quite revolutionary about an authentic smile.” He claims that “the smile has become countercultural.” It got me to thinking that a smile is a bridge towards someone else. A smile needs to be shared.  Receiving a smile makes us feel better, welcome, safe, connected. Our smiles do the same for others. Think of the efforts we go through to make a baby smile, all sorts of silly sounds and noises, and what utter pleasure and gift it is when the child responds accordingly.

                One of my favourite songs is Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile,” either the Nat King Cole version or the Gregory Porter one. “Smile though your heart is aching, Smile even though it's breaking When there are clouds in the sky You'll get by.” I am not advocating that we hide our problems behind a false bravado.  Faking happiness is no road to true happiness. When life has wiped the smiles off our faces, it is time to seek help and counsel.  But I also think there is a benefit to dig deep and find the significant joys and blessings that put a smile on our faces. Not forced, not phoney, not coerced, not smarmy, not sneering, but a smile that comes from the heart and perhaps, from the heart of God. “Let your face smile on us, Lord.” (Psalm 4:6)

                The brothers, Jacob and Esau, had a very broken relationship. In fact, Esau was ready to kill his brother for stealing his birthright. Jacob had fled as far away as possible. But now, after many years, and building up his personal wealth, Jacob decided to return home and see if he can make amends with his brother. He hopes that his wealth can buy Esau’s favour as he offers his brother all sorts of gifts. Like the prodigal son, Jacob laments his unworthiness: “I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness you have shown to me, your servant.” (Genesis 32:10) When the two men met, each accompanied by a large force of people with them, it looked ominous.  But instead, “Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.” (Genesis 33:4)

                Like the father of the prodigal son, Esau embraced his long, lost brother. Jacob realized his exorbitant gifts had no use in the act of reconciliation. His finds his redemption solely in the smile of his brother. “It is like seeing the face of God!” A true, sincere, authentic smile reunites the brothers.  Helping to erase the bitterness, the animosity and the resentment. A smile reaches across the abyss of their brokenness and brings new beginnings.

                That's the time you must keep on trying
                Smile, what's the use of crying?
                You'll find that life is still worthwhile
                If you'll just smile            

Prayer:

                Our loving God, there is indeed much sorrow and hardship in right now. We confess we find it is hard to find good reason to smile. Yet, help us to understand that we are also surrounded by your creative grace and wondrous blessing that invite us to find true joy in our living. May we then share our smiles with each other readily and sincerely so that we build bridges of compassion and forgiveness between brothers and sisters in family and in our communities.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 -Lent Four

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.” (Matthew 13:44, New Living Translation)

             Go, get your shovel! There’s gold in them, thar hills!

There was a recent news story about a French home owner, who discovered $800,000 worth of gold while digging up his back yard to put in a swimming pool. He found five gold bars and several gold coins. After examination by the authorities, it was determined that the man would be allowed to keep the gold.  I have had fantasies about something like this – finding a Mickey Mantle rookie card in a junk pile or a first issue Superman comic in a discard pile. They are extremely valuable. I would buy the piles of junk so that I could own those treasures.  I might not even sell them, but keep them for their specialness.

                My first thought is about who might have buried this treasure to begin with. The article never said. This leads me to think about the man in Jesus’ parable of the talents and the servant who buried what the owner had given him rather than invest it. “‘Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.’” (Matthew 24:24 -25) The servant was afraid to take any risks whatsoever and was proud that he could return the master’s money untouched, “every cent.”

But as Paul once wrote, we have been given these treasures of life and are sent out into the world to put them to good and profitable use, to invest God’s Grace and Love with interest. “We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.”  (2 Corinthians 4:7) Light needs to shine, not be hidden. Thus, we are also reminded by another of Jesus’ teachings: “No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5: 15 -16) God has generously given all of us gifts, talents and treasures to liberally (“liberal” really isn’t a swear word as some may argue) spread the Good News near and close, far and wide. “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!”  (Matthew 24: 21)

So it is that the man who discovered a treasure in the field goes out of his way to purchase the whole field. Not to overthink this short parable, yet some might think that this was a brash and even foolish action to take. There may not likely be any more treasure to be found if indeed that was what he was hoping. More likely though, he believed that plot of land now had intrinsic value and a purpose. He obviously was not the original owner, but wished to authenticate his find by buying the whole plot of land. The analogy is that when we discover the Good News of God’s Love in Jesus Christ, we take complete “ownership” of its valuable contents. We buy in totally to the wealth of Grace, Hope, Joy, Peace, Love and Salvation which we discover in its rich offerings.

These two parables are two sides of the same coin, both about the responsibility of being good stewards of all that God gives us. Perhaps, “responsibility” sounds like a tedious, laborious, duty-filled word, lacking much joy or pleasure.  But in Gospel terms, it has its rich rewards, its satisfactions, its gratifications, its joy-making. “Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” (Luke 6:38, The Message Bible)

Now get out there, people, and start digging.

 Prayer:

                Our generous God, we ask, first, that you lead us to look in the right places for your life-giving Kingdom. Then, help us to stop at nothing to take ownership of the prize of this upward calling. Show us all the ways that we, too, can be generous, faithful, sharing, compassionate and full of forgiveness and love. In this Lenten season, the true treasure is Jesus Christ who died for us. May we strive to be worthy of such a cost he paid for us to live in your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Wednesday, March 4, 2026 – Lent Three

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4: 8)

               So, how are your New Year’s resolutions going? Not so good, eh? Then what about your Lenten aspirations? What did you give up for Lent? O wait, is that chocolate I see smeared on your face?

                It is not easy to keep the promises we make for ourselves. But take heart. I recently read an article by a psychologist, Dr. Jennifer Aspari, with the provocative title: “Forget Willpower: Let Your Values Drive Helpful Habits Instead.” Basically, she was using research that “supported the idea  that habits formed by personal values are more durable than ones formed by guilt or an attempt at self- control. Willpower is a finite resource that burns out.”

She offers scientific reasons for this, about how our brains are wired to create conflict between doing what might good for us and succumbing to the impulse to give up.  The apostle Paul was way ahead of her when he wrote: “But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.” (Romans 7: 18 -20, The Message Bible)

Just because we know we should do something doesn’t make it any easier to do. “Should seems innocent, yet focusing on what you should do fuels internalized pressure and a sense of guilt…”  Not that honest self-examination is a bad thing, I would counter, but if all it does is make one feel like a loser, a failure or  incompetent, then it has failed it purpose. Confession is good for the soul but so is grace and forgiveness.

The doctor wants us to focus on our values. “Values are like a compass. They point us in the direction we want to go and allow us take steps to get there over time, rather than having to reach a target immediately.”  She asserts that we should (?) “focus on the qualities you want to exhibit and your sense of identity.” Who are you; not what are you. What are your intrinsic values for living? What motivates you from within? I would think that if your core values are strong, then they will support your goals and purposes, maybe even your resolutions and Lenten promises.

But again, Jesus is way ahead of her: “It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” (Luke 6: 48 -49)

Our text from Philippians speaks to paying serious attention to the values we gain from following Jesus Christ. They are empowering values, a solid bedrock of faith, thought, action and conviction. The Message Bible restates this encouragement as doing one’s best “by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.”  It will take some willpower, I would think, to help us stay on course in the pursuit of following Jesus Christ. Values need to be cultivated, nurtured, shaped, refined. It takes prayer. It takes the support of the Holy Spirit. “Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.” (2 Timothy 2:22)

Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Better, yet, is to take positive action on your thinking.

 Prayer:

                O God of Grace and Love, motivate us with your Love to follow Jesus Christ. May we fill our minds and thoughts with the qualities which mirror Christ’s relationship with us.  Help us to persevere in our faith, both in word and deed.  Lead us not into temptation to fail, but to keep our eyes on Jesus, in whose name, we pray. Amen.

Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Lent Two

Then he said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” (Mark 4:9, New Living Translation)

                I am now sporting my new hearing aids for the last week. I am hearing and experiencing the world in fresh ways. I can hear things that I missed before. Simple things, really. For example, I hear the tiny click of the electric heat unit come on. Unwrapping tinfoil  or cellophane sounds like a thunder storm. Susan says I will be able to hear the crickets outside our bedroom windows in the summer. Best of all, I don’t have to constantly ask anyone else to repeat themselves.  Susan could be sitting right next to me and I wasn’t able to clearly understand what she was saying.  This new level of hearing is a fresh blessing.

                There is an interesting story in the Gospel of Mark about a man who has deaf and had a speech impediment (Mark 7: 31 -36)   It is one of the more graphic miracles that we have in the Gospels. Jesus physically put his fingers into the man’s ears and using his own spit touched the man’s tongue and prayed that his ears be opened. “Instantly the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly!” (v.35) The story acts as a prophetic, symbolic action, portraying one aspect of many of the Messiah’s work, i.e. that the deaf would hear (Luke 7:22). We hear that promise echoed by the people’s reaction: “They were completely amazed and said again and again, ‘Everything he does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.’” (v.37)

                Hearing and listening are critical aspects of receiving the Good News of Jesus Christ. “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” (Romans 10:14) Paul goes on to ask whether anyone is listening. “Is anyone listening and believing a word of it?” The point is: Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ’s Word is preached, there’s nothing to listen to.” (10: 17)

                 Our problem today may be that we have too much to listen to. We live in a very noisy world. There is no shortage of voices and words. We are bombarded with persuasive promises and seductive possibilities. So much is demanding our attention, our ears. We are inundated with opinions, advice, counsel, information, perspectives, and viewpoints, often alleging some sort of truth or guarantee. Even this blog becomes part of that clamour, vying for your attention, although I pray that it is more useful  than most for many of you.

                Jesus was always trying to get the people around him to stop and listen to what he had to say and to watch what he was doing.  A lot of it fell on deaf ears. There were times that even his disciples missed the point. The parable about the Sower and the Seeds is very much about hearing the Good News above all else.

“Study this story of the farmer planting seed. When anyone hears news of the kingdom and doesn’t take it in, it just remains on the surface, and so the Evil One comes along and plucks it right out of that person’s heart. This is the seed the farmer scatters on the road.

“The seed cast in the gravel—this is the person who hears and instantly responds with enthusiasm. But there is no soil of character, and so when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it.

“The seed cast in the weeds is the person who hears the kingdom news, but weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and wanting everything under the sun strangle what was heard, and nothing comes of it.

“The seed cast on good earth is the person who hears and takes in the News, and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.” (Mark 4: 18 -23, The Message Bible)

What kind of soil are you? This Lenten season, let us re-focus on listening to the Good News of Jesus Christ in its authenticity, its honesty, its ability to lift us above the din of the world, to speak to us of God’s great Love for us all. Let us re-orient ourselves to God’s Word made flesh, Jesus Christ. “O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying…” (Psalm 78:1)

Prayer:

           Our loving and patient God, we are not always paying attention to your Word as we should be. Forgive us when we stop listening to Jesus. Help us to unplug or ears and hear afresh the Good News of Hope and Salvation that is ours through Jesus Christ. Speak to us of your Grace and Forgiveness. Help us to understand the meaning of the Redemption we have in Jesus Christ, in whose name, we pray, Amen.

Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026

“You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.” (1 Corinthians 9: 24 -25, The Message Bible)

                Some of us are old enough to remember the opening words of the old TV show “The Wide World of Sports” on ABC, “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” The latter was visually illustrated by a snow-skier epically wiping out on his downhill run.  Yikes!

                Susan and I have been watching a fair amount of the Olympics on TV lately.  Thus, we have seen both the thrills and the spills. We have seen both the tears of joy and the tears of defeat. We’ve heard stories about athletes who have overcome serious injurious, past failures, hardships, even cancer. Some were doubted when they began their sport’s journey. Yet here they were, finding themselves among some of the elite athletes of the world.

The winter Olympics features some of the most dare-devilish sports in the world. Sliding down a long icy chute on your back, riding on not much more than a sled which looks much like a cafeteria tray is not anywhere on my bucket list of things to do in my life. But we listened as these athletes explain how much they love their sport, how hard they have trained, the sacrifices they have made, what they have had to deal with and how grateful they are for those who have helped them along the way, for their families and coaches, their constant cheerleaders. All of them, win or lose, are proud to be Olympic athletes.

Several times, Paul uses athletic imagery to describe the Christian life. Not that Christianity is a sport, but he is encouraging excellence in our Christians endeavours. We don’t rest on our past laurels, but “press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:14, New Living Translation) It suggests that we should not settle down in our comfortable (?) pews and sink into lethargy, apathy, indifference and inactivity, thinking that we have it made or that we have punched our ticket into heaven.  Being a follower of Jesus requires movement, actions, intent, practice and setting our goals and aims for being the best we can be for Christ.

We are not alone in this ambition. Like the Olympic athletes we too, are surrounded by encouragers. So often, I heard one of the athletes talk about how “it takes a village” to get them to this point in their sport.  My prayer would be that we all are blessed by some community of believes who have walked beside us with their own examples, their encouragement, their support and their teaching. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1)

There are always excuses for avoiding the authentic work which we need to exercise our Christian faith and practice. Right now, I am blaming the weather or my bad leg or something for not getting any exercise. It is all too easy to sit at home and watch church on my screen. But there are things any of us can do even if we feel “disabled” in some way, ways which we can exercise our faith by reaching out to others, caring for others, supporting our church financially. We can pray; we can study our scriptures; we can offer kind, encouraging words becoming part of the village.

Ash Wednesday begins the Lenten season, a season of reflection, self-examination and a re-kindling of faith in Jesus Christ who walked the road to Gethsemane for us.  But I don’t think that it should be just a passive undertaking. Jesus cleared the obstacles of sin, hell and even death so that we may live fully and abundantly. He has opened a way for us to do remarkable things in bis name: “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” (John 14:12) He has prepared us to strive for goodness, to achieve the best standards of love we can, to run the race before us.

“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.” (Hebrews 12: 2 -3)

Strap on your faith and see what you can do! You ‘ll be amazed.

 Prayer:

Our Loving God, as we begin this season of Lent, we are encouraged to follow the footsteps of Jesus. Help us to understand the amazing sacrifice which he took upon himself for our sakes, so that we may have life and life abundantly. Encourage us so that we may honour him by doing our best and giving it our all. Help us to accept the challenges which we face and yet, strive for gold standard of Love in all we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

“God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5: 4, New Living Translation)

                I  was going to write a happy piece on the joys of dancing, but after I read about the mass shootings in British Columbia, this morning, when I got up, and the nine deaths and so many injuries, I gotta tell you that I don’t feel much like dancing, even if I could.

                There are not enough words to begin to describe the deep-down sadness and despair that this terrible incident has on us all, even if we don’t know a single individual who has been tragically affected. Perhaps, like me, you may also be feeling frustration, anger, fear, unsafe, gloom that such violence can happen – anywhere, any time, any place. It is not a too-big generalization to think that the world is going to hell in a handbasket, these days. These things challenge our faith, our hope, our assurances in God and in each other.  I echo the Psalm: “O Lord, come back to us! How long will you delay? Take pity on your servants!” (Psalm 90: 13)

                Despite our scripture text today, there will most likely be little, true comfort for those who have lost their loved ones, so unnecessarily and senselessly. Hopefully, they will be surrounded by their families, their neighbours, their town, their places of worship if they have one, their province, our whole country, but none of that can barely begin to erase the pain and sorrow they are going through.

No matter what our theology may be, what our faith tells us, what answers we look for, there will be, naturally, a brokenness in seeking any answer to as why this happened or where God was when it happened. In fact, we would trivialize their loss and sorrow if we tried to tender glib, facile, shallow bromides no matter what scripture or spiritual counsel we may offer.

Sometimes, the “right” response is not to say a blessed thing at all, to be like Job’s comforters when they first came to him: “Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.” (Job 2: 13) It was when they opened their mouths and preached at Job with their religious clichés were they of no help. It was not that their words were wrong, per se, but rather their words failed to bring Job any earthly comfort whatsoever. They should have kept their silence.

Usually, we need to feel all the pain and sorrow under the circumstances we’re in, right down to our bootstraps. This depth of sorrow, walking through the valleys of the shadow of death, is part of the sacred reality of being and will, or at least may, lead us towards  healing within our souls, spirits, psyches and lives and even reconciliation with God, “From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help.” (Psalm 130:1) It is never easy or simple. Resurrection never is!

Yet, and it is a bitter-sweet yet, we are not abandoned even in these depths. I have no real, satisfactory answers as to why bad things happen to good people, whether it be a mass shooting or cancer; so, yes, I have to turn to God, regardless, and place my hope in him. I am free to cry out to God in pain, anger, grief or loss because if I have not God to turn to, I end up in total despair and hopelessness. We are then utterly lost, in that case. So it is, with even tear-stained hands, I hear Jesus’ Voice in the wilderness: “I tell you the truth… You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.” (John 16:20) Maybe, not today; not tomorrow, not even a month or two from now. But someday.  Whatever your sorrow, whatever your grief, whatever your sadness and mourning, God finds you and wraps his loving arms around you and holds precious your tears.

Maybe, just maybe, come back next week and I will feel more like dancing!

 

Prayer:

 Our Loving God, we pray for all who are grieving today. Be present to our brokenness and shattered experiences so that we may, one day, rise to experience your joy anew. May we be examples of your living Word who offer to come alongside those who feel sorrow and pain. May we find your peace, your hope, your love even in the depths of our questions and doubts. Hold us in your ever-present Love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

“Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?” (Matthew 6:26)

                 Last week, I came across an article that suggested we need to focus more on the little things in life in order to deal with the cold and sometimes bleak winter and the stressful news cycle we are currently experiencing. There was nothing particularly startling or revelatory in what it suggested. Listening to music. Get away from our devices. Reading a book. Going for a walk. Nonetheless, I appreciated the idea that it is through the little things in our lives – the unexciting, slower-paced, gentle, reflective activities – that we find equilibrium and comfort.

                Coincidently, a few weeks ago, long before I even read the article, I had some words that were swimming around in my mind. (Lots of room – I hear you.) I couldn’t get them out of my mind until I wrote them down. The connection is that the piece is called “The Little Things.” It’s kind of sappy and sentimental. But hey, behind this gruff, grumpy exterior is just an sentimental, old fool. But I share it with you. (If you want a tune to go with it, the opening lines from The Rose, “love is like a river…” seems to work. Not coincidently, one of my all-time favourite songs) 

The Little Things
It only takes a little breeze to make the air so sweet.
It only takes your little smile to make the heart skip a beat.
It only takes one soft look to know that we are loved.
It only takes a little prayer to reach our God above.

It only takes a little word to make someone smile.
It only takes a child’s small hand in ours to feel that we’re worthwhile.
It only takes a little kiss to make the pain go away.
It only takes a gentle look to make it through the day.

These are the little things that matter in our lives.
Dandelion fluff and puppy dog tails
May matter the most when all else fails.
Falling snow and ice cream treats
Make our lives both sacred and complete.

It only takes a little sun to chase away the clouds,
It only takes a little blue sky to shout our praise out loud.
It only takes a little hope to face the day in brand new light
It only takes a little joy to lift our spirits like a kite.

It only takes a little peace to settle all our wars
It only takes a little love to heal the ugly scars.
It only takes God’s still small voice to bring us to our knees.
It only takes a little faith to plant the hopeful seeds.

We are blessed by these little things in each and every day.
Their bounty may come to us in wondrous, many ways.
God gives to all, the big and the small, the short and the tall,
The little things which are always just right and never too small.

Prayer:

Our Creator God, we know that your eye is on us just as much as it is on the little sparrow. We give you our loving gratitude for the myriads of little things that touch our lives with joys, blessings, laughter, love and hope.  Help us to open our eyes, minds and spirits to your many expressions of your creative touch. In Jesus’ name, amen.