Years ago, we moved from Southern California to the Pacific Northwest. Our youngest daughter was only six. She had never seen a true autumn.
We had big trees in our yard and the leaves began to fall. It seemed that all her little friends came to play. Dave would rake the leaves and the kids would jump in the piles and throw them in the air, just like you see in the movies. To the kids, it wasn’t work when we had them “help” fill the big black trash bags with the brightly colored bounty. It just added to the fun.
And then, in true Fall fashion, there would be hot cocoa and cookies before the kids would head home. What filled our home on those days were the giggles and the laughter, the joy and delight of being children, allowed to play. Children having fun.
“God, mark us with grace
and blessing! Smile!
The whole country will see how you work,
all the godless nations see how you save.
God! Let people thank and enjoy you.
Let all people thank and enjoy you.
Let all far-flung people become happy
and shout their happiness because
You judge them fair and square,
you tend the far-flung peoples.
God! Let people thank and enjoy you.
Let all people thank and enjoy you.
Earth, display your exuberance!
You mark us with blessing, O God, our God.
You mark us with blessing, O God.
Earth’s four corners—honor him!” Psalm 67 MSG
That’s what this Psalm says to me – Children having fun! “Let all people thank and enjoy you”.
Enjoying God, and all He has done, like a child enjoying all the splendor of the changing seasons.
I pray that today we will all be childlike and experience the wonders of the day and be filled with joy and thanksgiving.