Reposted from Anvil of Grace

For a decent portion of my life, I lived in West Texas. If you have never been there, it is … well … can the word “flat” actually be called an understatement? Most people look at that area of the world and see brown, dirty and ugly. I don’t. That may make me weird, but I’m good with that. As a child, I would stare down the rows of crops, loving the way they rhythmically passed the car. My favorite pastime, however, was looking at the sky. I’d find pictures in it, like tiny presents from God to me. That’s what west Texas is to me…sky…from one end of the world to the other and…it is beautiful!

It moves
Tells a story
Paints pictures
Morphs into new ones
Speaking of God’s creation
His majesty
His love
His humor!

I’m older now and still fascinated with watching the sky. I tend to take pictures of it (much to the amusement of people around me)…the sky hovering around the mountains, the storm in the air, the sunset on the sea. I can’t look at a sky without thinking of God’s gifts, blessings, and magnificence. Neither can I hear beautiful music or see fabulous art without thinking of the true Master.

Psalm 19:1,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.”

Finding God’s gifts in our daily lives is not always easy. There are those days where I am going through difficulties and days when I’m just plain ole’ tired! This week has been a fabulous week. I’ve made new friends and talked with great ones I’ve known since college. I’ve been blessed to help with a VBS week that ended in little ones coming to the Lord. Fabulous! But, tiring.
Of course, we all know what happens when we get tired. I, personally, have a sleep and pain disorder, so I know what happens with extraordinary exhaustion. People get cranky. (Yes, by people I mean me).
Small problems can become big. Big problems can seem overwhelming. Personalities can conflict and negativity can flourish. Strangely enough, it could even be a negative from years past that comes to haunt you specifically during the tired moments! These are the times when it is hard to learn, let God have your bad baggage and focus on His gifts. Yet, Matthew 11:28 tells us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

On the days when life is overwhelming or just exhausting, how can focus be turned to what is good and positive about the day? What if I’m too tired to work at it? I look up. I watch the sky and listen to the music. I do the things that I know connect my heart to the glory and grace of God. And the more I look to those things, the more things there are that do the same thing….rain, trees, water, grass, birds….quiet. God’s gifts are waiting for us to notice them, like pictures in the clouds.