At the beginning of each day, you step into the world and, if you’re lucky, you avoid the news and the bickering and the sensational soundbites.
You step across the remains of yesterday with a mug of comfort in your hands and you avoid that one floorboard that creaks when the weather slides just the slightest bit sideways. When you stand barefoot in front of the window or on the deck or on your front porch or patio or in the grass, it is only the dog or the cat or the robin looking for worms that shifts its gaze in greeting — thumping tail, arched back, or head tilted toward the earth.
So, you breathe, and let the morning fill your lungs with its dewy sweetness.
“Take heart,” the silence might breathe back to you. “All is well.”
All is well.
You might question that, as you exhale. Because, even though you’ve avoided the news and the bickering and the sensational soundbites in these first few moments, their residue hangs loosely at the edges of the day. The weight of the world. The depth of the sorrow. The disappointment of unexpected turns in the road.
Don’t lose heart. All is well. You are in good company.
The Bible goes to great lengths to show us that all the people on its pages were ordinary and average, doing one little thing after another, rooted in trust, grounded in good news, and drenched in fear or hopelessness.
We take the good with the bad, and God is gracious to give us both, as a reminder that every good and perfect thing starts with God. (See James 1:17)
Even people like Moses and Noah and Abraham and Sarah had their weaknesses and made their missteps. When Paul talks about the prophet Elijah, and how Elijah prayed to God for it to rain and God heard Elijah’s prayer, Paul points out for all to see, “Elijah was a human being, even as we are.” (James 5:17)
The only one who rose above it all was Jesus.
As for the rest of the people in all the stories of the Bible, God filled them up with His Holy Spirit and breathed life into their dreams and their plans, and God, through ordinary people who did ordinary things, made miracles happen that changed the world for good.
Take heart, sister girl. All is well. Breathe deeply. Do your part. Do your one thing. Fight the good fight. Offer grace. Work for justice. Move with mercy.
Be kind.
Keep your focus. Keep moving forward. Keep looking up.
Keep offering up every little thing in your ordinary life to the God of good things and miracles and hope.
Take heart, sister girl. All is well.
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Such a beautiful post!
I love the truth of everything-an-offering, but it slips through my fingers as the day wears on. Thanks, Deidra, for this extra shot of perspective with my morning tea.
This post should play in our minds all day, everyday.
Thank you for your wisdom.
Deidre,
This is absolutely beautiful. Oh how I forget the “heroes” of the Bible were human just like me. They had their flaws and failings and because of them, God was able to show His glory through them. I take heart that God doesn’t use seemingly perfect people – He sort of prefers the flawed, the fallen, the blind, the prostitute, the tax collector, the Christian killer. If He can use them, He certainly can use me. This week I have seen the good with the bad that you talk about. In the midst of a surgery wrought with complications, I have seen the loving, caring side of my husband who has seen me at my very worst and has gently loved me still. I’ve never had someone wash my hair and this week I felt like how the disciples must have felt when Jesus washed their feet. Joy amidst trial, light against dark, love upon hate. Like you said….if we each do our part.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Bev,
So glad God has blessed you with a loving caring hubby. I pray your surgery and recovery are going well! May He continue to bless you and your family!
(((((Hugs)))))
Thanks Beth,
You are such a wonderful prayer warrior!!
Love and ((hugs)),
Bev xo
Keep my focus and keep moving forward. And kindness above all. Why is this sometimes so difficult?
I needed this today. A heavy heart seems to be my thing these days and I grow pretty weary of carrying it around.
I needed this today as well. All is well, I think I’m going to repeat this over and over until I fall asleep.
Thank you and God Bless!
Praying for you just now, Jennifer, that you would be conscious of the Lord coming alongside to shoulder your burden, whether in small or big ways.
Having been up for 30 minutes with a cup of coffee in hand, I read this and felt myself breathe … deeply … gratefully … confidently. So beautiful. Thank you!
I second that, Peggy!
Thank you for this wonderful reminder that God doesn’t expect us to have it “all together” for Him to use us. I pray my focus today will be UP and know that all is well.
What an amazingly, beautifully written post! I start my day, every day,by coming out on my front porch, which is full of potted flowers and hanging baskets to pray to the One who made us, although I very seldom remember to breathe deeply. I, too, forget that most all of the people in the Bible that God used to do great things were just ordinary people like you and and me, and all the wonderful ladies who have commented so far thirds morning. I should really take that to heart and lock it away there, for, you see, I suffer from depression. Therefore, I almost always think that I am never good enough for God to do anything with, let alone something special. But I see that I must be wrong, thanks to you! I do have an amaxing support system that consists of my Mom,my Aunt (who is also my Godmother), my Grandmother and my sister. I also have the greatest group of prayer warriors and friend in my Sunday school class, butt, as was similar to someone mentioned in an earlier comment, and, probably most importsntly at this time, i have a Shelley. Weknew each other as kids and have now reconnected. She is the type of friend who sat down on my porch, literally, and put lotion on my dry calves and feet because i couldn’t reach them. If that diesn’t sound like something Jesus would do, i don’t know what does! She is the embodiment of selflessness, and i am so tjankful to have her in my life! I do stay away from the news, as it tears me apart inside. I do believe that i have bored ya’ll enough with my whole life here in this comment, I’m sorry, I never meant for it to go on so long, but thank you for bearing with me! God bless you all!
Lorie
Lorie God Bless you in a big way
I love this . . . “Do your part . . . Do your one thing.” And I especially favor “Be kind.” Such a simple thing yet sometimes slips out the door. Thank you for these lovely words which lift my heart.
Lovely, Deidra. Thank you. ((hug))
THANK YOU for this today! Sometimes it does feel like the darkness is closing in. So beautiful. I’m clinging to this this week.
Deidra,
What a wonderful reminder this morning. Thank-you for sharing your thoughts.
Have a blessed day all,
Penny
Just … lovely.
“Breathe deeply. Keep looking up.” Appreciate this on so many levels. Thank you, Deidra.
As always, year after year, I love your words. Your grace. Your reassurance. I love your posts, Deidra. Thank you so much for sharing your heart here.
Right. On. Time.
Thank you, God Most High.
Thank you & Blessings, Deidra.
Yes, breathe in the morning air. Remember, to breathe all day. When the Holy Spirit is in you, you literally breathe heaven.
Oh wow, well stated. Love that visual
So reassuring and comforting! This is truly a breath of fresh air! Well done!
Thank you deidra! This really touched my heart. God bless you always ❤️
Deidra, you have no idea how much I needed this post just now after the day I’ve had. I know I’m no hero, and don’t pretend to be a hero, but WOW! God spoke to me through your writing today loud and clear. So thankful and typed with tears in y eyes because this is speaking much into my circumstances. Blessings, Joanne
Just saying THANK YOU for writing so beautiful. Touched♥️. Needed for this words today. Breathe!
Thanks for remember us to KEEP MOVING FOWARD
Never alone with Him
Deidra,
What lovely poetry! Life can get noisy & stressful. In the midst of all the craziness & trials we face we need to remember that ALL is Well & God is in Control. It is good to take time to breathe slowly & look at All the goodness He has given us! Remember God can use you-YES you! He used Esther to save a nation, a prostitute to save some spies, changed a Christian killer into a Christ loving rebel. Everyone can do something-pray, cook a meal, visit people in hospital, send cards, etc.
I love the John Wesley quote: “Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”
Blessings 🙂
Encouragement. Peace. Thank you, Deidra!
I bookmarked this last week because I was in a hurry but knew these were words I needed to hear. With heart broken and deep concern for people I love and for circumstances that affect many, I need to remind myself, “Take heart because Jesus did rise above it all. Take heart, for HE has overcome.” And that it’s not my job to “fix it.” That maybe my one thing is to “keep offering up every little thing in your ordinary life to the God of good things and miracles and hope.” Thank you for your insight and wisdom, Deidra.
I have fallen in love with this piece. It makes me smile whenever I read it. Thank you!!!!