Take a Look!

Suggested Bible Reading

Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous. Praise befits the upright. Praise the LORD with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth. He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle; he put the deeps in storehouses.

Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

-Psalm 33:1-9 (NRSV)

Today's Scripture Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." -Luke 18:17 (NRSV)

EXTREMELY heavy wind had blown all the autumn leaves off the trees. With the withering leaves hurled into heaps around the garden, the whole area looked neglected and a mess.

The schedule for my busy day was bulging, but I knew I would have to spend precious time clearing up leaves. Matters were not helped when my three-year-old daughter, Lucy, came out and wanted to help me. With little grace, I found her a small broom before rushing back to my own task. After only a few minutes, I turned around to find Lucy slowly picking up leaf after leaf and examining each one closely. As I opened my mouth to complain to her, she spoke first: "Look, Mummy. Pretty!" She handed me a perfect specimen of a golden leaf. Then she rushed around picking up leaf after leaf - yellow, red, purple, pink, and golden brown - exclaiming over each one's beauty and tracing its irregular shape with her tiny finger.

I stood still - and ashamed. I had seen in the leaves only another task in an already over-full day, but my daughter had seen beauty created by God. Lucy had opened my eyes to our loving God's work.

Carol Purves (Cumbria, England)

Prayer

Lord, open our eyes that we may see, really see, the beauty that you have created all around for us to enjoy. Amen.

Thought for the Day Open your eyes to God's works around you.

Prayer Focus

Busy parents of young children