A Bright Spot

We have a family of American Goldfinches enjoying the seeds and suet we provide at our bird feeder.  The males are especially colorful with their bright yellow feathers contrasted with the black and white feathers and black cap.  I was happy with how clear this guy shows up on the feeder in this picture.  We love seeing these bright spots of color flitting around the yard and perching on the feeder.

God sends bright spots in our lives on a regular basis.  We don't want to miss the joy of recognizing these lovely gifts He sends.  In our often humdrum lives, we might be too busy to stop and notice that bright spot flitting across our vision, or we might miss that little bright spot hovering near our feet.  That old saying, "Stop, look and listen," is a good way to live our lives each and every day.

What are some bright spots you might be missing in your daily sphere?

How often do you stop and watch a sunset, or notice the delicate details in a flower, or admire the way light shimmers on the water's surface, or watch a child's face light up when he sees something that catches his attention?  I could go on and on.  This world God created is full of beauty and fascination and wonder and interest.  Just thinking about how much detail there is in the fabric of our world is enough to cause us to whisper, "Wow!" 

There are bright spots even on the darkest day.  A friend who's husband has had unbelievable difficulties after receiving a liver transplant eight months ago praised God and wrote:   "He can go from a "sit to stand" by himself (well, it's not automatic and someone has to stand beside him for balance - but WOW, he's come so far with physical therapy)."  Most of us would not consider that a blessing, but to her it was cause to thank God for that bright spot in her day.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" James 1:17.

God wants to make His children smile.  It is not God's plan for His children to walk around with frowns and sour expressions.  God is a God of light.  Over and over in scripture He talks about wanting us to have joy in our hearts -- which should translate into a pleasant expression upon our faces.  The bright spots God sends our way on a regular basis are one of the ways He seeks to bring joy into our hearts.  "And from His fullness we have all received grace upon grace" John 1:16.

Thank you, O Lord, for sending this little bright pop of yellow flitting across my yard.  What a blessing!