Noticing God in Ordinary Moments

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. —Isaiah 40:31 NLT

This has been a rainy year for my state. In fact, New Hampshire had the rainiest summer on record, with more than 21 inches of rain. That is a lot of wetness. So, when the skies turned blue in October, I was out on my deck every day, even if for just a few precious minutes, soaking in the blue and the sunshine and the lack of precipitation.

One day, as I sat there admiring the trees and reflecting on my busy speaking schedule ahead, two magnificent eagles soared past, directly overhead. They glided. They swooped. They played tag in that October sky, and I was mesmerized. The sunlight glinted off their bald, white heads, and I felt happy shivers as I watched. In that little moment in the sunshine, God reminded me of the verse in Isaiah that promises new strength for those who trust in Him. “They will soar high on wings like eagles,” says God through His prophet Isaiah. “They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” All of a sudden, the ordinary turned extraordinary! I felt God’s reassurance that He would be with me in every twist and turn this autumn, helping me speak, helping me swoop and glide and do all that He asks of me. Oh, how I thanked Him for that little moment and filed it away to remember in the days ahead.

I love how God speaks to us in the ordinary. He uses examples in His Word that resonate with us, stories that remind us over and over in our daily activities how He loves and guides us. It’s yet another reason to spend time reading the Bible. When those verses are in our minds, He uses them to remind us throughout the day of His wonderful Presence.

Water. Watch a rushing brook, pouring over rocks, never ceasing, and remember that Jesus called Himself the giver of living water. He never ceases pouring new life and love into us, flowing into us and working through us! “Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water’” (John 4:10 NIV).

Bread. Enjoy a slice of warm, rich-grained bread and be reminded that He is the Bread of Life, satisfying and sustaining us, filling us with goodness and nourishment. “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty’” (John 6:35 NIV).

Grapes. Walk by a vineyard in the late autumn, when branches have been trimmed and pruned to a nub, and marvel that the pruning, severe as it seems, will result in a fresh crop of luscious grapes next summer. Remember that we have pruning times in our lives when we are cut back so that even more fruit will be present as we grow through to the next season. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NIV).

Lilies. Pass by colorful lilies swaying in a summer breeze and remember that God clothed them in bright, beautiful, splashy colors—and smile. He loves you even more and will surely clothe and care for you. “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” (Matthew 6:28-29 NKJV).

Sparrows. Note the sparrow at the bird feeder and remind yourself that not a sparrow falls without God knowing. He sees the tiniest little sparrow and cares about it. He cares even more for us, even counting every hair on our heads! He knows us that intimately and lovingly. “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31 NIV).

Object lessons. Available to all of us in the most ordinary of moments. From eagles that soar to little sparrows that fall, God whispers through it all: “I love you.”

Father, thank You for the morning when the eagles swooped and soared for me. Thank You for Your whispered reminder that You will help me soar, even in the busy times. Thank You for speaking to us through Your amazing creation—so intimately, so perfectly, so personally. I am grateful. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

You are loved,
Sharon

Sweet Selah Ministries

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

 Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

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