Thankful In God's Presence
O Lord my God, You are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty, wrapped in light as with a garment . . . — Psalm 104:1-2 NRSV
It’s before sunrise in Central Park, near the end of my morning run.
This was the same route I’d run the day before. And the day before that. An icy New York City winter had rendered most paths too slippery, so I ran another loop around the ring road.
Since moving back here from San Jose, California, I’d felt unexpectedly cooped up. I missed the big skies, the landscape of the West. I missed the wild hills near our house, where running routes were infinitely varied and mornings felt fresh as creation itself.
I knew I was being irrational, ungrateful. In San Jose, I’d missed the hustle of the big city. Was I turning into one of those perpetually dissatisfied people?
The sun emerged from some clouds and cast a pale, wintry light on the skyline west of the park. The light reminded me of something. Suddenly, I remembered feeling homesick a few days earlier, especially for California mountains — symbols in our family of a whole outdoor way of life.
Be in the mountains in the city, a Voice said.
That light reflecting off the apartment buildings was exactly like early morning light at an alpine campsite, when the sun begins to crest the peaks, illuminating high places before reaching the basins. The skyline was its own mountain range. And God was as present here as He was in the mountains.
All I had to do to see Him was to stop complaining and give thanks for this wild, fresh morning here in the heart of the city.
“Thank You,” I said. The light gathered strength as I ran the last mile home.
Gratefulness gives me eyes to see You, Lord.
Help me to be thankful today.
—Jim Hinch
Digging Deeper: Psalm 50:14-15
What frustration or difficulty are you complaining about today? What can you be grateful for today in order to see Jesus more in your daily life? What are you thankful for today, even in less than satisfying circumstances?
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