Friday December 10, 2021
GOD MOMENTS
SCRIPTURE: Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 106:1
We've all had them, God Moments that is, but we might think of them differently. For me, God Moments come sporadically. Sometimes I have to look for them, other times, the moment just happens. It could also be a memory I have. As I reflect on that memory, I realize it was a God Moment.
What is a God Moment? To me, a God Moment is something that happens during my day, that tells me God is present, he wants me to stop and take notice for a moment, and realize that his love surrounds me, no matter what.
Obvious God Moments for me are when I see a beautiful family of deer trying to cross the road, a butterfly fluttering its way through my backyard, a cardinal flashing his ruby red colors, a ladybug bringing me good luck. Other moments are when I look at purple and yellow pansies showing me their happy faces, and fall chrysanthemums revealing their majestic colors.
God Moments include the simple pleasure of one of your kids calling you or stopping by unexpectedly; watching your children with their children, and feeling God’s nudge reminding you to live in this moment. It’s the time you have all your children, and grandchildren around the dinner table for a meal prepared with loving hands.
Grandchildren provide natural God Moments. Embracing their success when they put numerous old wooden puzzles together; listening to their laughter on a playground; requests for pancakes and scrambled eggs for breakfast when they sleep over. It’s the moment we kiss them on the cheek, only for them to take our face in their hands and kiss us back on the lips, requesting a “real kiss”.
A God Moment can be the time your spouse does something for you out of the ordinary, or fondly remembering a dear friend's humor that immediately brings a smile to your face.
I had the privilege of going on many ASP (Appalachian Service Project) trips with my family. On one such trip, my husband was driving one of the large white vans we rented for the trip and I was riding “shotgun”. The van was loaded with all our gear, and we were listening to the banter of several kids from our church in the seats behind us. We were in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
For miles around, all you could see was the blue sky lined with puffy clouds, the forest, and white vans in front of us. We were the “sweeper” van, the last one in line. Our van was at the top of the hill, watching all the other vans perfectly spaced apart, in front of us, moving first down the hill, then up the next one. It still brings a chill to me today, remembering that moment in time, my God Moment.
My final God Moment comes at Advent. A season of giving to others, a wondrous time. At the end of the Christmas Eve service, we sing “Joy to the World”. In the last verse of the song, we lift our candles up to heaven, in honor of the birth of a Baby, Christ the Lord. The words are as follows:
He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders of His love
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we want to praise you and give thanks to you for giving us special moments each and every day. We thank you for these times throughout our day, times you provide for us, to stop and reflect on your presence in our lives. We are grateful for this time to realize that your love surrounds us, your love endures forever. You rule our world with truth, grace, and love. Amen.
Tammy Coapman
