Beauty in the Fog
Esther Zeiset (Pennsylvania, USA)
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. - Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
The weather forecast sounded almost perfect — except for the morning fog. Optimistic that it would soon dissipate, my husband and I walked the quarter-mile trail to the lakeside with coffee in hand and binoculars around our necks. But stubborn, opaque fog shrouded the lake and dashed all hopes of our seeing any wildlife. I complained that our walk was a disappointing waste of time.
Just then a mockingbird broke into song from the obscurity of the swirling fog. I listened to its serenade. And to the distinctive honks of Canada geese. To the splashes of fish jumping on the lake’s surface. On our way back to the car, instead of watching for deer, we stopped to marvel at a maple tree’s brilliant colors, at clusters of purple berries on the pokeweed, and at a squirrel’s treetop antics.
Metaphorical fog surrounds us at times. We don’t know when it will lift, and our patience wears thin. But when life seems uncertain, it’s good to consider God’s sovereignty, to remind ourselves that nothing catches God off-guard.
So, while we await the lifting of the fog, we can choose to hush our impatient grumblings and look for traces of beauty. We can entrust our plans and the future to our loving God.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Dear God, open our senses to appreciate your blessings even when circumstances disappoint us. Your beauty is everywhere around us, and we are thankful. Amen.
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TODAY'S READING
Jeremiah 17:7-8
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
I can look for God’s creative work even on foggy days.
PRAYER FOCUS
Those on camping trips
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