It’s so easy to lose sight of all the good in the world at large and easier still to lose sight of it in our own. I know, because I do it all the time.
But, the truth is: Somewhere in the world today . . .
a child will learn how to read and the eyes of another imagination will be opened
a little girl will take the stage at her recital and realize that her daddy caught an early flight home from a week-long business trip so that he could sit in the front row and be sure not to miss a single step or note
a teenager who was told by his doctors that he might never walk again will take the first of many steps on the road to a full recovery
a young mother who feared she might not get the chance to see her children grow up will learn that her breast cancer is in remission
a scientist will look into his microscope and see something that brings us one step closer to curing a disease once thought to be incurable
an adopted child will finally find her birth mother and realize in the ferocity and warmth of their first embrace that the decision to entrust her to another was borne of love, rather than the abandonment she’d assumed
an unemployed breadwinner’s months of pounding the pavement will be rewarded with a job that will allow them to fully provide for their family
someone will become the first in their family to graduate from college
an aspiring writer will open what they’re certain will be the next in a series of dozens of rejection letters to find this: “Congratulations . . .”
a hungry stomach will be fed through the generosity of another
an anguished heart doubting its worth will receive a word of affirmation
a story will be shared
loneliness will be dispelled
a much needed good night’s rest will be had
forgiveness will be offered
a prayer will be answered
Maybe you or someone you love will be the beneficiary of one of these “today moments” or maybe you (or they) will be tomorrow.
Or maybe you already know how to read, can walk without assistance, have the benefit of a loving dad or mom (or both), are blessed to not have to worry about cancer or hunger, already have a good job, are well-educated, have published a book or been the recipient of an encouraging word or forgiveness, etc.
Either way, the challenge is the same: seeing those moments for what they are – seeds of gratitude – and committing to watering them so that they can take root in our soul and blossom.
donblackwell 