A Handmade Gift

Songs of joy at the news of our rescue are sung in the homes of the godly. The strong arm of the Lord has done glorious things! I shall not die, but live to tell of all his deeds. The Lord has punished me, but not handed me over to death.

Open the gates of the Temple - I will go in and give him my thanks. Those gates are the way into the presence of the Lord, and the godly enter there. O Lord, thank you s much for answering my prayer and saving me.

The stone rejected by the builders has now become the capstone of the arch! This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous to see! This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:15-24 (TLB)

Have you ever been given something made by hand? Perhaps someone gifted you a meal from their kitchen, a flower arrangement from their garden, or a one-of-a-kind craft. Similarly, each day is a gift from our Creator that we can receive with gladness.

Sometimes the person receiving the gift may not always understand the time and effort required to make a handmade gift. And we may not feel like rejoicing each and every day when we are facing trials or feeling ill. But before the feet of Robin Bullock, from Florida, hits the floor in the morning, she practices reciting this verse: "This is the day the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it!"

Each morning Robin chooses to be thankful and prays that her presence will be a reflection of the light of our Creator, the maker of heaven and earth. Let us give thanks for God's gift of today and enter each day with a spirit of rejoicing.

Prayer: Creator of heaven and earth, help us to know you and to recognize the works of your hands. We will rejoice and be glad, giving thanks for the gift of each day, in Jesus' name. Amen.