As I write this, the calendar tells me that it is Thursday, November 14, 2024. But as the alarm rang this morning (at a much too early 5:30am), the date shocked me and I commented about it to John. He replied to me that it felt like October had just started. I feel like it must be August. This year has gone by much too fast.

We began our normal routines of the day, phone surfing, scripture reading, prayer, making the bed. All routine stuff. I dressed, kissed John goodbye, grabbed some breakfast and headed out the door. Our new-to-us car had a 7am appointment for an oil change at the dealership. Traffic was heavy but I got to the parking lot and took my place in the line of waiting vehicles. All normal. All routine.

Then it happened.

My phone surfing was interrupted as I heard an old hymn begin to play on the Christian radio station. I put my phone down. A breeze picked up outside of the vehicle and the decorative grasses all began to bend forward in a wave of motion. In front of them, as if they were bowing to it, the sun broke through the sky, bright and wonderful after a week of clouds and rain.

My eyes began to tear up as I watched creation bow to the Creator and I as heard the hymn writer’s words of praise soar from my car’s dashboard: “Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”

The world stood still.

His Spirit spoke to my spirit a message not of words nor of music.

He touched my soul.

God reached out to me.

Yes, I had read His Word, the Bible, earlier this morning. Yes, I had earnestly prayed, praising His name and asking for His will to direct my life. But sometimes there are those very, very special moments when He interrupts us and blesses us like the world can never understand.

Today my extraordinary God touched me as I did ordinary things.

“Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”

Friend, Let Him interrupt your day.

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

Psalm 16:11

Several years ago I started publishing musings as the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays approached. This year I hope to be sending out a new series titled “25 Days of December.” My prayer is that you will find my little postings helpful, perhaps humorous, and maybe thought provoking.

The blog site is called “We Gather Together” after the hymn. The words and history of this hymn have been an inspiration to me for many, many years. Let me explain.

The hymn was written in 1597 to commentate the freedom the Dutch had obtained after years of Spanish oppression. The Dutch Christians were free to worship and “to gather together” to praise their God.

During this last month of 2024, I pray that we will gather and praise the only true God.

• May we gather with our Lord in private, intimate times to worship Him, to listen for His guidance and direction, and to praise His holy name.
• May we gather with family and friends and seek to strengthen relationships or restore relationships that are fractured or strained.
• May we gather in our churches and communities to share again the true meaning of Christmas and to pray for His will to be done in our every endeavor.

Join me as we read the words of those Dutch Christians who had been released from bondage and given freedom to worship. And as we read their words, may we renew our commitment to use these last days of 2024 to live lives that shine brightly with the love of Christ.

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known;
the wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to His name, He forgets not His own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
so from the beginning the fight we were winning:
the Lord was at our side- the glory be Thine!

We all do extol Thee, Thou leader triumphant,
and pray that Thou still our defender wilt be.
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free.