As I was reading my Bible this morning, my eyes were drawn to the beautiful morning light that I can tell is changing with the changing of the seasons; I can hear the insistent cawing of the grackles in the front, the softer trill of the birds in the back and everything is alive with energy and beauty. I keep thinking about all of this as I read Genesis 31 with Jacob and his large family and the increase of the flocks he worked so diligently for for 7 years. God was with Jacob. Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.” v. 3. Jacob obeyed. I love his attitude toward God. He knew God was with him. The angel of God said to me in the dream, “Jacob.” I answered, “Here I am.” And he said, “Look up and see that all the male goats mating with the flock are streaked, speckled or spotted, for I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you. I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land.” v. 11-13. God provided the increase in the goats Jacob was given as wages from Laban his father-in-law.

What is curious is Laban’s attitude when he confronted Jacob after Jacob left Laban with his wives, children, flocks. Laban answered Jacob, “The women are my daughters, the children are my children, and the flocks are my flocks. All you see is mine. v. 43.

As I sit here basking in the sounds and sights of life that I know so well, I am grateful to realize that life is from God. He created everything we see and love and are nourished by. All that I see is not mine just as it wasn’t Laban’s. All that I see is God’s including me. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8.

Just like Jacob, Laban, and all the people I am reading about in Scripture, life is teaming and filled with energy, beauty, hardship, struggles with the land and with people we interact with; and each of our lives builds and grows and changes in the way of all life and God is there.

Living my life in awareness of the Almighty gives greater meaning to everything I see. This land is not mine – I am a temporary place holder. As I look back over the events of my life I can see God’s hand guiding me just as surely as He guided Jacob. Do we have eyes to see, ears to hear, hearts open to Him? The greatest gift I will ever have is God and His love. Nothing comes close. When I see the beautiful light stretching across the floor, I see God’s handiwork and it is breathtaking. I hear the sounds He created and I am renewed even though my body is changing in the way of all life. Thank you, Lord, your abundant love and grace fill me with joy only You can give. So I give to Him my heart and it fairly explodes with His love.