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Psalm 118:24 – This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (NKJV)
One morning as I was walking from Penn Station in New York City to the 8th Avenue subway, one of the free newspaper vendors interrupted his normal patter and cried out, "Smile, you woke up today! Think about the alternative!" The crowd's reaction was most interesting. Approximately one-third just trudged on, oblivious to the world around them. Another third looked around, shrugged, and continued on their weary way. But the last third paused, pondered the words of God's unexpected messenger, and smiled. Some even chuckled as they acknowledged God's gift — a gift that is "fresh every morning". (Lamentations 3:23 NET)
As I hurried to catch my train, I could not help but be reminded that God can speak to us using many different and unexpected voices. If asked, how many of us would mention a subway newspaper vendor as a potential angel of the Lord? More important, however, was His message. I was reminded of just how special the gift of each day is and the blessings that it can contain, especially the small and unexpected ones, such as the reminder that "this is the day the Lord has made", and it truly is something to rejoice and be glad in.
Each day is a gift from God. Each day, we have the choice of either acknowledging the gift and sharing it with others, or else, like too many of the crowd, simply trudging through the day oblivious to God's gift. What will we choose?
Prayer: Gracious God, deliver us from ears that do not hear, eyes that do not see, and hearts that are hard. Help us always to be conscious of Your many gifts, to enjoy this day that You have made, and to share that joy with others, like Your messenger — an anonymous newspaper vendor. Amen.
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Thank you, David. We hope you will inspire us again.
Thanks for sharing this encouraging reminder, David.
Thank you for sharing this story. Great way to start the day.
Nice post and great reminder on this beautiful morning. Thanks and blessings.
Now a senior and each morning I give thanks for another day to enjoy and use well.
Thanks, David. I love how you found a message in such a seemingly small thing as you passed by.
Thanks, David, for a word picture and the insights, e.g. ‘choice’ to acknowledge and share the gift(s) or be oblivious.
David, thank you! As I read your words on my cellphone with my morning coffee, I smiled at the reminder that indeed, I did awake this morning! A new fresh day awaits to show me that the Lord lives and loves me forever.
Amen David. God may speak to us anywhere at anytime through anyone or anything.
A good word today.
Blessings.
Hi David,
What an awesome Devotional today, thanks for sharing that story. May we be thankful for each day the Lord has given us.
(Ontario)
Thank you, David, for this devotional. That newspaper fellow shouted-out important words that got a variety of results, but it is important that we appreciate each day the Lord gives us and an opportunity to share that joy with others that they may be uplifted too. Blessings for writing.
Good morning, David,
As you may remember from some of my writings, I had some serious medical problems for the last couple of years and we do indeed rejoice every day and are happy (mostly) that we can enjoy another day.
Thank you for your good words.
Good morning, David,
This is a great message and a good observation of people. I hope all the people who didn’t take note was because they had their ear buds in and not because they don’t recognize how great it is to be not the “alternative”.
As I pray your prayer, I hope I will always be the person who is grateful that God has given me this day and that I use it wisely in His name. I love the song that was chosen to go with your devotional.
Thanks for sharing and may you continue to be thankful for the day God has given you. Blessings.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging and timely devotional with us.
Blessings.
What a delightful message from a complete stranger! Did you know that today is National Encouragement Day!
Bless you David, in YOUR ministry!
(BC Canada)
Hello David,
Thank you for sharing your encounter with us in the PresbyCan Daily Devotionals; “This is the Day the Lord has made”. So true, so true…many will walk by oblivious to God, to the beauty in creation, to the very fiber that carries them through the day.
Blessings,
(ON)
Very well said. We do take things for granted.
Thanks, David, for a word picture and the insights, e.g. ‘choice’