Something very meaningful to me that I can practice throughout my life is learning to accept the liberating love of God. This love reminds me that there is no need to strive for acceptance or attempt to impress in order to receive affection. Instead, I can trust that God delights in me (and all life) and accepts me just as I am. When I trust that this is how God sees me, I feel freed and I am able to live life with deeper joy, compassion and desire to see each person come to know that they are deeply loved and appreciated.

This morning I am thankful for the abundance of beauty that I got to witness during my bike ride into work. I live in the countryside of western Washington State. My home is about 10 miles away from my office. I set out on my bike ride as the sun was making it’s way up over the Cascade mountains to the East. It had rained all night and the crops in the fields sparkled as the light made the droplets of water come to life. Birds flew overhead, cheerfully singing and welcoming in another day. Clouds on the horizon looked robust, capable of showering the earth with life-giving rain. The humid air smelled of the ocean, located just 3 miles to the West. For 10 miles I was able to ride into work, enjoying and marveling at the beauty that was so obviously abundant in my midst. I am really thankful for that beauty today.