by Richelle Hecker

From the smallest to greatest of blessings, Praise God!

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link. 

I have a close friend who made it her campaign this year to focus on things that bring her joy. She takes pictures of a myriad of things that bring her joy and posts them on social media. She is thanking God for every thing she can find that connects her with joy. This may seem like a simple thing to do, however it is a testimony to her faith that she seeks to praise God in every circumstance. During this same time she has experienced the death of two extremely close friends and her mother. She’s also suffered three concussions in the last two years caused by car accidents that were not her fault. Her children are quickly growing up and moving out and to top things off she remains her father’s primary caretaker and is watching his health rapidly decline. Yet, she seeks and expresses joy in her circumstances.

During a quick visit, she and I took the time to grab a cup of coffee together. We both took pictures of her coffee because someone had taken the time to brighten her day with this figure of a leaf. We enjoyed this small gesture as a part of the bigger blessing we were experiencing. One of our greatest pleasures is to be with someone who loves the Lord as much as we do and share the deep and wonderful things He is working in our lives. In spite of the many struggles each of us has experienced the last couple of years, we also could proclaim a mountain of good things God worked into each of our lives. So we thanked Him for those things, for close friendship, and for a pretty cup of coffee.

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 
Ephesians 5:19-29

No matter our circumstance, as we come together and lift up our praises to Him, we quickly uncover a bounty of blessings. From the simplest pleasures to the grandest acts of provision, God is worthy of our praise!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado