You, Lord God, have done many wonderful things, and you have planned marvelous things for us. No one is like you! I would never be able to tell all you have done. (Psalm 40:5)
When my oldest daughter, Abby, and I were on our powerwalk last week, we encountered one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen: a newborn deer. He was precious–no bigger than a medium-size dog, very wobbly and adorable.
It was quite an unexpected wildlife encounter, and it totally made our evening. It also reminded me of another such animal encounter that happened to me when I worked for a worldwide Christian magazine in Fort Worth, Texas.
As I hurried into the office that morning, I was totally focused on the meeting scheduled for a few minutes later. I was going over notes in my mind when all of a sudden, I looked up to see the most beautiful sight: Next to the front door of our office building stood a brilliant blue peacock. He was grooming himself in the sun, each ray of light bouncing off his fabulous feathers and making him even more breathtaking. I literally stopped in my high-heeled tracks. For a moment, I experienced total joy. I just couldn’t believe my eyes!
No, I hadn’t been sniffing my pink highlighter. There really was a peacock outside my office building! I found out later that he belonged to a nearby rancher and liked to roam; on this particular day, he had roamed right into my life. I saw him in all his glory. He showed off, fanning his lovely tail feathers for me. I stopped and appreciated his beauty, and I thanked God for reminding me that he is in the midst of my day, showing me love and favor, even when I am caught up in the busyness of life.
The day had started like any other, but right in the middle of the mundane, God had dropped a peacock of happiness into my morning. As I later thought about my surprise encounter, I realized that God is dropping “peacocks of happiness” into our mundane lives all the time, but we’re simply too busy or our hearts are too hardened to notice.
Now, an actual fantastic feathered friend may never show up outside your home or office, but be on the lookout for God’s good work and loving kindness toward you every single day. Be mindful of him all day long and drink in those moments of pure joy. Maybe your peacock of happiness will come in the form of your child’s laughter. Or maybe you’ll experience your peacock of happiness as you inhale the lovely fragrance of a honeysuckle bush. Or maybe you’ll see a darling newborn deer on your next walk.
However it comes to you, take time to enjoy it and praise the Lord for blessing you with it. God loves to surprise us with blessings–especially when we appreciate the “peacocks” he sends into our lives.
Father, help me recognize the “peacocks of happiness” you send into my life. And help me to be mindful of you and your goodness toward me every single minute of every day. I love you. In Jesus’ Mighty Name. Amen.
