What a beautiful morning! The recent losses of people we loved has really made me grateful to God for each new day that I wake up, find I'm alive and have the opportunity to live the day fully. This morning started with packed lunches - not my favourite activity, but one where I'm going to choose to "take and place before God as an offering" (Romans 12v1). Simon had a 7am meeting so was off early...but not before I managed to persuade him to replace the shirt he was wearing with an ironed one! He's speaking at There's More To Life today - and yes I want him looking his best, but also I don't want them thinking I don't look after him :)
So then I took our lovely huge hairy dog out for a walk. It was such a beautiful day, but it took me a while to realise I wasn't really appreciating it because I was looking straight ahead or down (keep a good eye on what that dog's up to!). When I lifted my eyes I saw a pale blue open sky with a few wispy clouds. I saw trees glistening in the sunshine. Just that act of looking up caused me to take a deep breath, stretch and look upwards. It caused me to thank God for the day and to pray - then I started singing (no-one else was around!)
Who, oh Lord, could save themselves,
Their own sin could heal?
Our shame was deeper than the sea
Your grace is deeper still
You alone can rescue, You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to find us, led us out of death
To You alone belongs the highest praise
We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes
You’re the Giver of Life
We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes
You’re the Giver of Life
You can listen to it here You alone can rescue
When I lift up my eyes, it gets the focus off me, my life and my circumstances - it helps me to see the bigger picture and it causes me to pray and to be grateful. A great start to the day!
So then I took our lovely huge hairy dog out for a walk. It was such a beautiful day, but it took me a while to realise I wasn't really appreciating it because I was looking straight ahead or down (keep a good eye on what that dog's up to!). When I lifted my eyes I saw a pale blue open sky with a few wispy clouds. I saw trees glistening in the sunshine. Just that act of looking up caused me to take a deep breath, stretch and look upwards. It caused me to thank God for the day and to pray - then I started singing (no-one else was around!)
Who, oh Lord, could save themselves,
Their own sin could heal?
Our shame was deeper than the sea
Your grace is deeper still
You alone can rescue, You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to find us, led us out of death
To You alone belongs the highest praise
We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes
You’re the Giver of Life
We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes
You’re the Giver of Life
You can listen to it here You alone can rescue
When I lift up my eyes, it gets the focus off me, my life and my circumstances - it helps me to see the bigger picture and it causes me to pray and to be grateful. A great start to the day!