Where do I see God in your everyday life?

When the topic “Where do I see God in my everyday life?” was provided, writing for our PCWS blog suddenly seemed like a daunting task.

It’s interesting how things work out! While reading the novel The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens, I was struck by the passage: “We are surrounded every day by the wonders of life, wonders beyond comprehension that we simply take for granted. I decided that day that I would live my life – not simply exist.” While Carl, one of the novel’s central characters, utters these words for reasons different than mine, it had its effect. It was another nudge in becoming more purposeful in observations during daily activities and interactions.

Given the time of year, the most immediate reflection was seeing God through nature with the change of seasons – leaves changing colors, squirrels harvesting food stuffs and that nip in the air when venturing outdoors. Whether through changing of the seasons or witnessing the destructive forces in nature, we begin to realize anew we are not in control of so many aspects of the world – even though we often wish to think we are!

I noticed instances where individuals stopped and really thought before respond to a view not aligned with their own. People striving to be intentional in providing a sincere response and allowing for an exchange of ideas.

Sadly, there were instances in our daily lives when we receive bad news for ourselves or loved ones or feel truly overwhelmed with news about senseless acts of violence in our world. I find reassurance from Rabbi Harold S. Kushner’s book, Why Bad Things Happen to Good People.  “God is the light shining in the midst of darkness, not to deny that there is darkness in the world but to reassure us that we do not have to be afraid of the darkness because darkness will always yield to light.” God’s power can enable us to deal with things well beyond our control…drawing strength because God is with us.

Worship is part of what helps keep a focus in life and offers an opportunity for letting go of matters beyond my control. It offers ways of strengthening the relationship with God and renewing a commitment to strive to be a better people. This can come through a sermon, scripture lesson, a conversation or music in worship. Recently we sang the hymn, In Christ There is No East or West, and I was struck anew by the words: “Join hands, disciples of the faith, what-e’er your race may be. All children of the living God are surely kin to me.” Given the strife in our world can we live like this? It jolted me to think isn’t this another way of seeing God in our everyday lives…seeing all people as part of God’s world.

As we approach a holiday season that will surely find many overwhelmed with too many things to do, maybe one way of seeing God in the everyday busyness is feeling gratitude for family and friends with those special bonds that tie us together. Truly a gift where I can see God in my everyday life!

Janet Anderson, Member of PCWS

November 12, 2017