souldare

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. (Psalm 68:19 KJV)

Choosing this daily challenge of adding one element to the canvas motivates me to keep my eyes open for inspiration. I write quotes in my journal. I snap photos with my phone. These practices sharpen my inner eye, keeping me in step with what the Spirit prompts next.

Whether it is a decision regarding what color or technique to use each day, or how to use my time or be attentive to the needs around me, I have to tune my ears and keep my vision clear.

I witness and observe and document the world around me. Why? To notice the abundance. To remember how lavishly God “loadeth benefits” daily. Not just to me, but each and every one of us.

Want another reason that I keep a list of these grace-filled experiences? Because I lose hope. It gets lost under the weight of so many, many seemingly heavy thoughts that assault my mind, my memory and my mood. So on the days when the weariness becomes unbearable, I cry out for help to see the goodness in the land of the living. And then I wait. Sometimes I despair. And then I just take a deep breath, and wait some more.

Then when I lift my head, something catches my eye or a little joy presents itself. A nudge to embrace the Presence of the present moment. A drive through the park on a balmy winter day, eating a quick lunch and then walking around the lake. Wondering why I always stay on the paved path, I step off onto the sandy beach. I move closer to the water, waves crashing on the shore. A closer look reveals how the wind and water are breaking up the film of ice from the colder days before, and the crashing, broken ice somehow warms my cold heart.

These little nudges show me where I left off, taking me to a place or a thought or a memory that realigns my perspective with the goodness that surrounds me daily.

I leave you with a sample of daily graces from recent days, a compendium of things to weigh together, to sift through and gather some inspiration.

Light and Love are on my side. (Melodie Beattie)

Be brave enough to live life creatively. The creative place where no one else has ever been. (Alan Alda)

Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day whispering, “I will try again tomorrow.” (Mary Anne Radmacher)

Goodness is the only investment that never fails. (Thoreau)

The ultimate work of art is YOU! (Lisa Sonora Beam) 

Check out Lisa’s 30 Day Journal Challenge to kindle some inspiration in your soul.

What are some of the benefits God bestows on you daily?