Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalm 23: 1-4 (NLT)

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
James 1:17 (ESV)

It was an unexpected and welcome moment. 

A needed moment. 

A little more than a week ago.

The sun was out. Another hot day. But with a slight and welcome breeze which found its way to our area.

A beautiful day by most accounts, but like too many at times, it was a bit too burdened with concerns, obligations, expectations, and “not sure what to do’s” which began to steal the beauty of the day.

Times like that leave us feeling all alone, too often missing the beautiful moments around us.

Our younger granddaughter, Ellie, was at work at Patticakes, a local coffee shop, and as her Mimi and I are want to do when she’s working—I came by to visit for a while, and enjoy the coffee drink Ellie always makes for me. Just like her sister Hannah did, during her barista days.   

Upon leaving, and turning back as I reached the car for one final look toward my granddaughter after my visit and coffee, I was blessed with yet another moment of my visit.

There, unexpectedly walking up from somewhere to the front of the coffee shop, and wandering among the outside tables and chairs, were three breathtaking peacocks. 

Unafraid and undeterred by other visitors at the tables reading, talking, and drinking some coffee creation, they meandered along—obviously looking to order their own drink, perhaps a Mocha Frappuccino, or some other cool coffee drink on a warm day.

They brought a smile to my face, and others gathered there, including Ellie, who came outside to take their picture and, I assumed, their order.

Isn’t that just like God. 

On a beautiful day. A good day to maybe have it all together. Yet we don’t.

God knows when we feel less. When we feel alone. A bit empty, unsure, covered up, needing something to help us break through to His sunshine all around.

And so, He sends three peacocks. To remind us that He sees us. That He knows what we’re going through. 

And to remind us that we are not alone.

He is there. 

Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rogers wrote the song “You’ll Never Walk Alone” for the Broadway play Carousel in 1945. 

It has been a beloved song for many of us for years, as it shares—

“When you walk through a storm, Hold your head up high,
And don’t be afraid of the dark.
At the end of the storm, Is a golden sky,
And the sweet silver song of a lark.
Walk on through the wind, Walk on through the rain,
Though your dreams be tossed and blown.
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart.
And you’ll never walk alone!
You’ll never walk alone.”

No matter where we find ourselves. No matter what we’re going through.

Uncertain. Concerned. Burdened. Not sure of the next steps. 

At work. Home. With family or friends. In the mornings, afternoons, or evenings of each new day.  

God is there. Walking alongside you and me. 

Even at coffee shops on sunny days.

Look for the peacocks. 

Or whatever God is up to—for you and for me.

We’ll never walk alone. 

Thank God!

In His Name–Scott

You know it well, so sit back and listen to and sing along with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, with the video of “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” You’ll be blessed.