As I may have mentioned once or twice, I walk a mile and a half to work every day, all year around. This gives me plenty of opportunities to see the changing seasons, although I don’t always take the time to really notice.

This morning as I was hurrying along at my usual purposeful pace, I turned my head to check for traffic before crossing the street and flashes of pink caught my eye. I looked up and saw a glorious sunrise above the hills to the east. I thought, “Pretty,” then began to cross the street, but felt something stop me, almost like a hand on my shoulder, urging me to take another look.  I paused and turned my gaze back to the east and, taking a deep breath, I soaked in the striking pink, orange and yellow hues painted across the sky for my benefit.

Day after day, God displays His masterful creation, but how often I fail to notice.

Most Christians agree that man didn’t accidentally crawl from the primordial ooze; God created him for a purpose.

I don’t think man was created as an audience to appreciate the rest of God’s creation, however. It is my conviction that all of creation is God’s gift to mankind.

Have you ever prepared a really special meal for someone you love, only to have them gobble it up, say a quick, “Thanks,” wipe their lips and go?  How devastating it is when our efforts are not appreciated.

This morning I took a few moments to stop, enjoy and appreciate just one of God’s miraculous gifts.

I took the time to let God bless me and the image of that sunrise will warm my heart all day long.