AUTUMN FOR THE SOUL Week 4
Don’t Miss What God is Doing
Week 4: Sometimes the most beautiful things are happening right in front of us
“Jesus appeared to his disciples and challenged their unbelief because they had not believed those who had seen Him after His resurrection”.
Mark 16:14
Have you ever been so focused on what you were waiting for that you almost missed what was happening right in front of you?
I think we all have.
We spend so much of our lives looking ahead. Waiting for the right time, the next opportunity, an answered prayer, or for things to finally fall into place.
And sometimes we’re so busy wondering what’s next that we forget to notice what’s happening now.
I was listening to a sermon recently, and something the pastor said stayed with me:
“Don’t miss what God is doing in your life.”
Such a simple thought, but one that really made me stop and think.
In Mark chapter 16, we read about the disciples struggling to believe the news that Jesus has risen. Even though others had told them what they had seen, they found it difficult to believe.
It made me wonder how often we do something similar.
Not necessarily because we lack faith, but because sometimes we’re expecting God to work in a particular way.
We have our own ideas about how things should unfold, what an answered prayer should look like, or where we thought we’d be at this stage of life.
When things don’t happen the way we imagined, it’s easy to overlook the good that may be unfolding around us.
Maybe it’s an unexpected friendship, a new interest that brings us joy. It could be a conversation that comes along at just the right time. Or, perhaps it’s simply discovering a little more peace and contentment in a season we never expected to fing ourselves in.
Not every meaningful moment arrives with a grand announcement. Sometimes the most beautiful things begin quietly.
I think that’s especially important to remember as we grow older.
It’s easy to look back at the life we’ve lived or look ahead to the things we still hope to experience. But what about today?
What about the little moments we’re living right now?
The people who cross our paths, the opportunities we didn’t plan for, and the unexpected joys tucked into ordinary days?
What if something beautiful is already unfolding, and we simply haven’t noticed it yet?
As autumn settles in, maybe we can take a little time to slow down, look around, and appreciate were we are.
We don’t have to have it all figured out. We don’t have to know what the next season will bring.
We can simply remain open to the possibility that God is working in ways we haven’t recognized yet.
Because sometimes the very thing we’ve been hoping for begin in ways we never expected.
And I certainly don’t want to miss them.
PRAYER
Father,
Thank you for being present in every season of my life, even in the moments when I don’t recognize Your hand at work.
Help me slow down and become more aware of the blessings, opportunities, and people You place along my path.
When Life doesn’t unfold the way I expected, remind me to remain open to the possibilities before me.
Give me a grateful heart, and an open mind, and the faith to trust that You are still working in my life.
Amen.
Reflection
Have I been so focused on something I’m waiting for that I’ve overlooked something good happening today?
Has something unexpected recently brought joy, encouragement, or meaning into my life?
What might change if I spent a little more time noticing the small blessings around me?
This week, take a moment each day to notice one unecpected blessing. It might be something small, but sometimes those are the moments that stay with us the longest.
Late Bloomer Affirmation
I embrace today with an open heart, trusting that God is working in ways I may not yet see.
