Psalm 148:7-10
Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,lightening and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding,you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds.
I had left my athletic shoes just outside the kitchen door overnight. Their bottoms had been wet and covered with leaves blown around by the sudden storm. I retrieved the shoes, preparing to take my dog Gracie for her morning walk. Gracie was hesitant because it wasn’t quite daylight yet.
It had been a rough night – one of those dark nights filled with worry and self-doubt. I had felt spiritually dry as I tried to do my morning devotionals. Everything was out of synch and I was struggling, on the verge of tears, praying for help and comfort.
As I picked up a shoe, I heard a soft creak, almost sonorous. I wondered if one of my tired joints had made a noise. As I raised the shoe to my foot, that sweet little creak sounded again. I stopped all movement to listen, and when the sound came one more time I realized it was coming from my shoe. I reached inside and held in my hand a precious little toad which had found shelter and warmth in the shoe overnight.
My whole being melted at the sight. My heart opened and tears flowed. I had been given a gift – a precious reminder of the beauty and wonder of God’s creation sitting peacefully in my hand, a reminder of God’s presence and never-ending care.
Prayer:Â Gracious God, you send answers to our prayers in such amazingly simple ways. Help us open our eyes to see the luminous moments in our lives and to live in gratitude for your gifts, large and small. Amen.
Betty Schroeder