Psalm 111:1-5 NIV

Tammy Engle

A couple weeks ago I read a Facebook post one of my friends had written regarding a trip to the Grand Canyon she made with her husband. She had opted out of the 2 day hike into the canyon. Instead she promised to use their binoculars to track her husband's descent and subsequent ascent. She said she initially panned the area and was awed by its majestic beauty. "Why does it take tracking my husband to make me REALLY look at my magnificent surroundings", she posted. "Even the dark shadows and dangerous slopes seemed to be so beautiful."

She said she spent the day writing down in great details all the spectacular views she was seeing so she could share and compare with her husband when he came back out of the canyon. The weather turned stormy in the evening. She could see her husband's climbing group setting up camp, working to find shelter and safety. The beautiful majestic scenery wasn't so appealing to her any more. It seemed dangerous and black. She found herself praying for a quick storm and safe return of her spouse.

Prayer was answered. After squeezing her honey and muttering a quick thank you to God, she started babbling about the incredible views she encountered while watching him climb down the canyon the day before. Her husband interrupted her and said, yes, but did you take in all the beauty during the storm. He talked about how the storm sounded and smelled. He said it was like watching an etch-a-sketch being shaken and a new pictures emerging over and over. He told my friend the group had said a prayer thanking God for the opportunity to witness God's majestic landscape that many others might never see on a trip down the canyon.

Her story makes me realize that all of God's works are majestic and glorious. We often forget to see them. We forget they are in our visual experiences as well as our physical experiences. Then, when the situation or scenery becomes dark or cloudy we hurry to pray for change. God honors his covenant to us, just maybe not always in ways we can see or understand. His grace is so steadfast.

Questions for reflection:

• Do you ever miss the daily works of the Lord?
• What's one thing you can do on a daily basis to honor and praise the Lord?

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for honoring your covenant to us. Help us to in turn glorify you and rejoice in your gift of love and grace. Amen.