In an effort to become a healthier person, I have begun an "almost" daily walking regimen. I am blessed to be living close to a coastline, and so I get to walk two to three miles along that beautiful spot where the ocean meets the land. Just the other day during my walk, as I usually do, I noticed a cormorant hunting in the shallows of the ocean. Anyone who has ever had the chance to observe this sea bird will know that it is rather interesting to watch. The cormorant swims with only its neck and head above the water, and, as it does, with a watchful eye, it waits for fish to swim by underneath. When it sees what it wants, this bird will then dive fully under the sea for its meal! It is fun to watch and see just where the little guy will resurface. This bird will even dive through waves! I have seen the waves crash down over the bird, but there it is, still hunting, once the wave has passed!

While watching the cormorant this day, a realization struck me. I thought to myself, just look at this creature of God. It simply floats there, not worried about what might be lurking around beneath waiting to devour it, not anxious about the crashing waves, but just going about its life using God-given talent and instinct. The cormorant is doing exactly what God wants it to do. It isn't worried about the waves of life, and how they might topple it over. It just puts its head forward, dives through each wave, and comes out the other side, ready for the next one, and probably the stronger for it. The wave doesn't hinder the bird; the creature keeps on doing what God would have it do.

I am reminded about my own life, and how I can be easily distracted by life's waves. I can get off course because of worry and trials that come my way. This cormorant helped me to remember that I should cast my worries aside, put my head forward with the determination of my faith in God, and dive through each wave with the knowledge that God is with me. I am also reminded to pray for and use my God-given talents and gifts to further the kingdom. That's what I am on this earth to do!

God's creation is so awesome. Through His creation, He speaks to us and reminds us of His Word and His love for us.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, we thank You for the cormorant and all of Your creation, and for speaking to us through it. Thank You for being patient with us, and for sending little reminders that strengthen us in a big way. Help us, Father, to find and apply our gifts and talents so that we may be better servants for You, our Lord. In Your Son's precious name. Amen.

Teaching Sunday School is a challenging yet rewarding task. At our church we teach six weeks on, six weeks off. Although, I love to teach, I also look forward to my time in the pew! The Sunday before Thanksgiving Day was my last Sunday to teach in my six-week unit. I am not proud of it but my attitude leaned toward, "I'll just get this day out of the way."

The lesson for this particular Sunday was a struggle because I had to find something else to do because I didn't particularly like the entire lesson suggested by our curriculum, about "Sharing our Blessings". The one thing I did like was the idea to make cookies with the class and take them to the local community kitchen. I needed a craft to occupy the children while the cookies were baking. I had an idea, and while I was creating a model of the craft they would do, the following thoughts crept into my mind: "Making the cookies won't work"; "It'll be too messy"; "We won't have time to do both activities"; "Do I want to be bothered stopping at the community kitchen?"; "I've got to get to my mother's for turkey dinner right after church." For some reason by the end of preparing my lesson I had finally decided, yes, we would make the cookies.

We made two dozen chocolate chip cookies (it wasn't too messy and we had ample time!), and packaged them with a special label. It was my job to deliver them. I had never been to the community kitchen and, to tell the truth, the thoughts of going frightened me. I mustered up the courage and in I went, cookies in hand. I was directed to the man in charge. When I told him I had cookies that my Grade 1-2 Sunday School class had made, I am sure I saw a tear in his eye. Many thanks were given and as I was leaving it was hard not to notice the people who had come there for a meal. Suddenly I felt our two dozen cookies weren't enough. When I got back to the van, my legs were shaking. I began thinking over my life and felt ashamed that I sometimes complain that I never have any new clothes to wear, or that our family needs a second vehicle, or that we can't renovate the house right this minute….

God didn't want me to leave that activity out of my Sunday School lesson. I was incredibly humbled and stood in awe of how many of God's blessings I take for granted. I thank God for this opportunity and I wanted to share it.

Prayer: Dear heavenly and gracious Father, we are humbled by your awesome greatness, and pray that we never take for granted your many gifts to us, great and small. Remind us, O Lord, that we are to share our blessings with all your children. Challenge us to walk closer with you than ever before. In Jesus' name. Amen.

There is a cross around my neck; I wear it in honour of Him. It is there all the time; I never take it off. It is like my God: He is always there. One morning when I went into the bathroom to wash my face for the day, I looked into the mirror and was startled. I saw my chain where the cross used to hang, but no cross. Alarm filled me, but I soon realized that the cross had flipped around to the back. All was well again and my fears settled.

I made a connection with this little occurrence and life. Even when we feel He is not there and are sure he isn't, our God never leaves our side. Have you ever felt that your prayers are just bouncing off the ceiling and you are not being heard, like nobody is listening? He will not forsake us. Just like my cross pendant wasn't in sight but was there nonetheless, so our heavenly Father is with us, whether we are conscious of his presence or not. We do not even need a symbol of His presence, so long as we are in Christ and remember God's word of promise, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." His promise can sustain us through times when we think things are not going our way, when we feel like everything is against us. God has a plan for us, His children, and in God's time, not ours, the plan will unfold.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, we praise your holy and mighty name. Grant us patience and courage to listen to your leadings. Remind us, O Lord, that you are there waiting for us. Bless us with the continued desire to turn to you daily in prayer and to study your word. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

My husband out of town, homework finished and house cleaned for Bible study the next morning, my children and I decided to eat supper out. It was later than we usually ate supper, so we were very hungry. As soon as we got our order, we found a table, sat down and tore into our food. While feeding myself, stuffing food into my youngest's mouth and encouraging my older two to eat up, I happened to look up and notice something. At a table across the way from where we were sitting was a dad and his daughter (approximately 9 years old) with their food in front of them untouched, their heads bowed, saying a quiet grace together. Then they calmly began their supper. I stopped in mid-chew and felt great admiration for this man, while simultaneously feeling ashamed of myself.

Of all the small things one can do, I hadn't stopped to give thanks to my Lord, for his many blessings. So often we are caught up in our earthly business, and we tend to forget why we are here in the first place-by the grace of God.

Psalm 30:12 – So I will not be silent; I will sing praise to you, Lord, you are my God; I will give you thanks forever.(GNB)

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank you for being so gracious and forgiving. Thank you for gentle reminders you give us along our way. Help us to slow down, so we can give you the praise and thanks you so greatly deserve. In Jesus' name. Amen.