Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The hint of winter is in the air and it was too cold for me to sit outside for long this morning. But in just the little time I weathered the cold, my soul was warmed beyond measure. My life has been off-balance for weeks and although my time with the Living God never ceases, the time to savor the world around me took a back seat to distractions and I’ve been feeling the loss. But after just one morning to savor, one more day to take it all in, one more day to focus on His creation, one more day to ponder His Majesty, and I am Refreshed and Revived and full of hope and joy all over again. Isn’t that what savoring Him does for you too?

It’s so easy to get caught up in the distractions and it’s easy to lose time to savor when we do. Like hamsters racing on a wheel, we can run and run to accomplish those things on the to-do list, and we don’t slow down long enough to look beyond the wheel to savor the Greatest things. We can get so caught up in preparing the perfect meal for our family and friends that we never look beyond the work of our hands to savor the hearts of the ones we serve. We can get so caught up in the routine of shuffling kids off to bed for the night, that we never look beyond the exhaustion to savor the moments that pass so quickly. We can get so caught up in our daily lives and our work that we never look beyond the surface of all of those people we encounter to savor the chance to share a smile or a kind and compassionate word. We can get so caught up in all of the madness of the world and all of the bad that we see that we never look beyond the tragedies to savor our own peace and wellbeing. There’s a whole lot that we lose out on when we stay so busy that we neglect to savor but the Greatest of all is our Peace and Purpose.

I’ve become a master at savoring the Master and the work of His Hands, but it all began long before I knew Him. I’d rather sit down and share a cup of coffee and a good conversation with someone than to rush off to take in the finest museum or a good movie. There’s a whole lot more “entertainment” that comes from savoring those precious moments that I know may never pass my way again. I’d rather hear their words and savor their laugh than to rush off to take in the sounds of a symphony or to be part of a concert. I’d rather listen to the sounds of a child attempting to read a book at bedtime than to tune in to any other audible book option on the planet. I’ve been accused of being an “old soul” countless times but I’m not an “old soul” at all. I’m just a woman who loves to savor the moments in life and it shows. People in my world know that I care and because I take the time to savor – they know who to turn to when they need to be heard. I wear my Faith on my sleeve, and I’m wrapped in Compassion from Christ…and it shows. When people think of me, my Faith is the first thing that comes to mind. I savor my King…I take time with my Lord…and it shows. This is the key to walking the Walk and talking the Talk.

I’ll be savoring lots of things on this beautiful October morning, but it all begins by savoring the Living God and the work of His Hands for me. When I consider all that He is, and all that He’s done for me, I get excited and I can’t wait to share Him with my world. I’ll savor every moment and every Encounter today and you can be sure that His Name will come up in every conversation as naturally as I breathe…with love, and kindness and Christ-like compassion. The world will see Him in me as I savor His Plans and His Purpose for me today.

 How about you?