Devotion: Seeing the Beauty In All Our Days

“I am so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” ~Anne of Green Gables

I’ll be honest with you. October has never been my favorite month. You see, I am a summer girl, and October reminds me that summer is really really over and cold winter days are right around the corner. I mourn what is gone and how long it will take to come again. Plus, the month is filled with lots and lots of orange, and it’s never really been my color, ya know?

However, neither my opinion nor my circumstances change the beauty and glory of this season. They do not change that this is the day that’s been given. And by longing for what is gone, or what I wish would change, I miss the gift that IS today. As the Bible says, “You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!” (Gal. 4:10 NIV).

With this verse, God reminds me that just as we are all priceless and unique gifts to this world, never to be replicated and never to come again, so are the days He has created. We have been given the chance to see today, live today, and love today before it becomes yesterday.

Some days will be harder to celebrate than others, and some we will wish had never happened. But our God is a good God, worthy of our thankfulness on both the easy and difficult days. He is worth celebrating, no matter what each day holds.

The truth is—I am glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. October challenges me. It reminds me to look past my preferences and see a beauty different from the one I might choose. October gives me the opportunity to embrace today for all it was made to be instead of holding on to it as a reminder of something it never could be.

Apple picking. Pumpkin carving. Bonfires. Cozy sweaters. Football games and tailgating. Fresh cider and doughnuts. Colorful leaves begging to be jumped in. Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes.

These are a few of my favorite October things. And they are beautiful and special and worth celebrating.

I am glad I live in a world where there are Octobers, Novembers, Decembers, and all the rest because I am glad I live. Every breath I take—whether it be crisp and cold, hot and muggy, filled with pain, or filled with hope—is new and has never been taken before. [Tweet “I am alive, and God has me here for a reason and a purpose.”]

Each day truly is a gift. It cannot be returned, exchanged or re-gifted. Ultimately, how we embrace this gift is our choice. But how much more beautiful would our lives be if we were to open each such gift loving and rejoicing over the One who gave it to us more than what is inside?

Lord, thank you for Octobers. Thank you for each day you so graciously give us. Help us to see the beauty surrounding us, even in the midst of pain and trials. You are worth celebrating ALL of our days. Amen.

Scripture for Reflection

“This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24 NASB)

Reach for More

This week do something to celebrate October— have fun, treat yourself, and celebrate this day that the Lord has made! And if you would like to take it a step further, share a bit of October with a friend (i.e. drop off their favorite seasonal latte, take them a caramel apple, send someone who lives in a warmer climate a package of colorful leaves).

Dear friends, you can do this. Be courageous, and remember that one small act of love is so much greater than none at all.

Please, come back and leave a comment telling us about how God spoke to you this week, or share your progress on social media using the hashtag #tgtreachformore. We would love to hear from you.

Sarah Lundgren has a passion for all things sparkly, loves God with her whole heart, and is known to love Starbucks chai lattes a whole lot, too. Sarah is currently snuggled in the heart of Grand Rapids, Michigan with her sweet hubby, J, and her full-time job is making pretty things all day long for her Etsy business, so sarah designs, but she also loves writing devotional content here at The Glorious Table.

 

Photograph used with permission from, and copyright of, Michelle Lenger.