This week, with the gradual lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, our 4-year old granddaughter, Ellie came for a sleep-over party. We were looking forward to this as much as she was, but of course it took a lot of energy on our part to keep up with her. Her tireless ability to try new things and to explore new adventures are a delight to watch, and to try to keep up with.
First thing in the morning she was there. Ellie woke us at 6:15. She came running into our room, pulled back the blinds to let in the bright morning sun shine in, and said, “Grandma, Grandpa, you’ve got to get up! The whole day is here!”
How can you resist that? Her joy, her enthusiasm and her wonder, were infectious. In a time when racial tensions have boiled over, and when a virus now seems to define our lives in terms of where we cannot go and what we cannot do, what a wonderful moment of grace we were given — the reminder that a whole new day stretched out before us, a gift from God filled with opportunities to discover grace and blessing in our lives, and to bring to it the best of who we are.
Yes, we are going through unprecedented and challenging times that can be draining and uncertain. But thank God for the delightful reminder of the wonderful opportunities and possibilities that come to us all, renewed every day. “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us be glad and rejoice in it.” (Psalm 118:24)
With every good wish for your new days.
Revs. Bob and Helen Smith
This message first appeared in the June 19, 2020, edition of Tidbits.