Daily Devotional for October 4, 2021

Yesterday was a great day.  Worship was joyous and included the Sacrament of Holy Communion.  The confirmation class did a great job and, as usual, I taught the students a new word their parents wouldn’t know, so they would feel superior.

While all of this was great, what set the tone for the day happened before the first worship service.
  
As I stepped out of Dennis Hall to walk the sanctuary, I saw Norman.

Over this past year, I have become more and more worried about Norman’s health.  He had lost so much weight, a strong breeze could blow him over.  He had no strength or stamina and felt absolutely miserable.  Even his voice sounded worn out with life.  And at one point, I began to wonder if he might be close to going to heaven.  I prayed a lot.

Yesterday everything changed.

As I visited with Norman, I could tell he was the Norman I used to know.  He was full of energy and his voice was strong.  Instead of sitting in a chair, he was standing, greeting people as they walked into the church.

Norman explained his doctor had decreased his blood pressure medication by half, and it had made all the difference in the world.

This good news made my day.  Norman looked like a million dollars – not really.  Norman looked like a dollar and a half but that’s still really good for Norman.

I said, “Now that you feel good, you have no excuse for falling asleep during my sermon.”  Norman replied, “Now, I wouldn’t go that far.” 

Yep, Norman’s back.

Norman’s amazing recovery was a tremendous, unexpected blessing.  

As you go through the routines of this day, I hope you receive a wonderful blessing.  That’s what God does.

One of the most powerful blessings in scripture are the instructions God gave to Moses on how to bless others.  God said, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)

Look for today’s blessing.  It may be in the sunrise, the kind words of a friend, a meal shared with laughter, good news at work, picking up your children from school, petting your dog, or even a friend’s blood pressure medication being cut in half. 

The blessings are there.  All we have to do is open our eyes and look.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, help me see my many blessings.  Please use me to be a blessing for others.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Norman’s better.  That’s a blessing.  God is good.

Also, just for the record.  I said Norman looked like a dollar and a half.  That may have been a little harsh.  I’m going to bump it up to two dollars.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins