God’s Gratitude Making Moments

He who walks with the Lord and keeps constant contact with Him will see many reasons for rejoicing and thanksgiving all day long.

— Unknown —

 

Lori captured this photo while on our Alaska trip in 2016.

A couple of days ago I was walking our dogs on my favorite stretch of the Great Miami River Trail on the northern edge of Piqua, Ohio. It was a crisp and sunny autumn morning, a morning that whispered, “Unplug yourself from the world and take in the beauty of nature.”

Normally I listen to a leadership podcast when I’m walking the dogs, but on this morning nature came calling and I obeyed its call.

A few minutes after tuning into my surroundings, my attention was drawn to the sound of a bird imitating a small helicopter–a pileated woodpecker had joined us on our walk. Pileated woodpeckers are very striking birds that have a way of lifting my spirit.

Shortly thereafter, I decided to go for it and I asked God to bring an eagle our way as there have been many eagle sightings in our area over the past several months.

Moments later my eyes were drawn to a bird flying high above our heads. It didn’t take me long to realize we were now in the presence of a Bald Eagle.

We were on a stretch of the trail that runs very close to the river and the eagle was obviously “fishing.” For about fifteen minutes, my dogs and I watched this eagle fly majestically all around us.

Just as I thought our friend was gone, it came soaring back and it seemed as though we were directly in its flight pattern. After getting within a hundred yards of us it turned upward and quickly climbed to a height my eyes could barely see. At that moment, it dawned on me that we were interfering with the eagle’s ability to snare the fish it was keenly focused on.

I decided to turn around and walk in the opposite direction while glancing over my shoulder to keep an eye on it. Within seconds the eagle came soaring back, swooshed down to the river’s surface, snared its prey, and went on its way.

Now that was good. That was really good.


I truly believe that the moment I just shared with you was God’s gift to me for remaining faithful during a very difficult stretch of life. I probably would have missed it if I hadn’t tuned into nature on that morning.

What is getting in your way of experiencing God’s gratitude-making moments?

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  (ESV)

P.E.A.C.E.

Jay@EagleLaunch.com

P.E.A.C.E. for Dreamers…

P – (Plan) A dream remains a dream until it is written down. Putting your dream in writing is the first step in creating a PLAN to achieve it.

E – (Effort) Turning your dream into reality requires a commitment to putting forth consistent and focused EFFORT toward the execution of your plan.

A – (Attitude) If you think you can achieve your dream, you will. Your ATTITUDE always determines your altitude in life.

C – (Community) Nothing great in life happens by doing it alone. The chances of realizing your dream expand as your COMMUNITY of positive mentors and peers expand.

E – (Energy) Chasing and attaining your dream requires optimal levels of mental, physical, and spiritual ENERGY. Take care of yourself!

Leave a Reply