“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it,” Psalm 118:24. The wondrously deep blue sky has nary a cloud to mar its beauty this morning. Kat is sitting under the bird feeder poles, the birds are sitting on the power lines waiting for Kat to leave, a lone squirrel is fussing in the old oak tree, Penelope is taking a nap. Typical day in my world and I’m grateful for its simple blessings.

I sat in the swing most of the day, enjoying the fall breeze, watching it make the lilac cosmoses dance on their slender leafy stems, listening to the wind chimes play a soft symphony. The sun warmed the day and pushed me out of the swings into the house to sit in my reading chair and peruse the quote books. I love fall and I’m looking forward to the oak trees getting dressed in their golden sweaters and all the beautiful songbirds that visit my yard on their migration travels. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever,” Isaiah 40:8. God’s love for us in one thing that is constant and never changes.

I attended my nephew’s football game tonight. He played well and when he blocked a kick I screamed as loud as his folks did! The stands weren’t crowded like they were when I was a teenager. I think the Covid pandemic thinned it out several years ago and some folks just lost their habit of Friday night football. I watched all the happy children going up and down the stairs a thousand times, treats from the concession stand in their hands, the proud parents, aunts and uncles, and grandparents of the football team players, cheerleaders and band members, all of us in the stands supporting the children who spend hours practicing their skills for Friday night football games. I was thinking how this night was playing out across so many towns in America, the simple pleasure of a Friday night football game with family and friends. I enjoyed being a part of the night.

Paul Pearsal says,“Our most basic instinct is not for survival but for family.” Our families are the foundation of our society and a source of unconditional love and support. I remembered my mother and daddy attending the home football games to watch the band’s halftime show as I sat in the stands watching tonight’s football game. I loved being a member of the band and I was proud my parents cared enough to support me on Friday nights.

Thomas Jefferson said, “The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family.” Scripture says God created families where we can feel love and learn how to love others. God’s love for us is like a parent’s love for their children. His love is unconditional. No matter our doubts or mistakes, God is faithful and forgiving, guiding us on a path to eternal life. Life is tough and full of trials and tribulations but with the love of our families we find the light of God’s love to give us hope. God is always there to listen to our prayers. He listens and he answers.

“When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching — they are your family.” — Jim Butcher