Psalm 118:24 – This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (NKJV)

One morning as I was walking from Penn Station in New York City to the 8th Avenue subway, one of the free newspaper vendors interrupted his normal patter and cried out, "Smile, you woke up today! Think about the alternative!" The crowd's reaction was most interesting. Approximately one-third just trudged on, oblivious to the world around them. Another third looked around, shrugged, and continued on their weary way. But the last third paused, pondered the words of God's unexpected messenger, and smiled. Some even chuckled as they acknowledged God's gift — a gift that is "fresh every morning". (Lamentations 3:23 NET)

As I hurried to catch my train, I could not help but be reminded that God can speak to us using many different and unexpected voices. If asked, how many of us would mention a subway newspaper vendor as a potential angel of the Lord? More important, however, was His message. I was reminded of just how special the gift of each day is and the blessings that it can contain, especially the small and unexpected ones, such as the reminder that "this is the day the Lord has made", and it truly is something to rejoice and be glad in.

Each day is a gift from God. Each day, we have the choice of either acknowledging the gift and sharing it with others, or else, like too many of the crowd, simply trudging through the day oblivious to God's gift. What will we choose?

Prayer: Gracious God, deliver us from ears that do not hear, eyes that do not see, and hearts that are hard. Help us always to be conscious of Your many gifts, to enjoy this day that You have made, and to share that joy with others, like Your messenger — an anonymous newspaper vendor. Amen.

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About the author:

David Gellatly <dlgellatly3@gmail.com>
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
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