“This is the day which the Lord hath made”… Psalm 118:24

 Each day is a new gift from the Lord. The remainder of the verse above says “we will rejoice and be glad in it." The older I become, the more I find that the simple things in life bring me the most joy. It is the little things in my own yard that brighten each and every day. Each day brings with it a gift from the Lord, sometimes wrapped in the most unusual package.

For example, there was a pitiful tiger-striped cat that showed up on our doorstep half-starved. Although I haven’t been a fan of cats (sorry, cat owners) Mark and I felt sorry for this cat and started to feed her. It wasn’t long before we figured out she was about to have kittens. We waited day after day, wondering when she would give birth as she grew larger and larger.

A couple of months later she brought her kittens out to see us. Two of them looked like her and one was a gray fuzz ball. Over the following days we saw them more often and it wasn’t long before they were in the food bowl with their mother. Mama Kitty began taking them on field trips out into the yard and we followed so we could watch their antics. I never thought I would receive such joy watching kittens play, but I did. When the gray fuzz ball discovered his shadow, I laughed and laughed. Each day I look forward to seeing the kittens and watching them play.

Another thing that brings me joy is sitting on the front porch watching the birds and admiring the flowers in my garden. A new hummingbird (all black) appeared this year and seems as fascinated with me as I am with him. Even the simple sparrows provide amusement as they peck in the grass, looking for something to eat.

In the midst of this terrible drought, it is easy to get discouraged. I don’t know why the Lord has withheld the rain, but I know in his time it will come. My heart goes out to those who depend on the rain for their livelihood. I also don’t know why the wind has to blow so much. It can irritate me when I am trying to observe all of the previously mentioned things.

Phillipians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say rejoice.” Do we rejoice in what the Lord has given us? What about giving thanks to the Lord for what he provides? Paul wrote, “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

If you don’t have kittens or flowers like I do, there is always a hug from a small child to bring a smile to your face. No matter what is going on in your life right now, take time today to find some simple thing to bring you joy.

Debra Whittington is a longtime resident of Tucumcari. Contact her at: dawhittington@msn.com.