by Bruce Ligon

A daily routine is not a bad thing. It gives pattern, focus, and organization to one's life. Also, being busy with day-to-day activities is not necessarily wrong. But sometimes we may be guilty of neglecting to see or do things that could bless our life, or by which we could bless the life of someone else.

Let's enrich our lives by slowing down and noticing, or doing, these four things:

1. Take the time to notice the beauty of nature.

As you do this, remember that God is responsible for you having the ability to see. Think about what the beauty of nature reveals about the our God. It is God's will that we have a marvelous and majestic universe to observe. The Psalmist exclaimed, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth forth his handiwork" (Psalm 19:1 KJV).

2. Take the time to express appreciation to other people.

Often, parents will teach their young children to say thank you. But then as adults we may forget what we have taught our children. A simple word of thanks to someone who helps you, who enriches your life, or who is a friend will mean much to them. Solomon taught, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver" (Proverbs 25:12).

3. Take the time to encourage a young person.

The teenage years are a time of change. During these years young people face incredible pressures and difficult decisions. But the word of encouragement that you speak to a young person may become a memory that affects their life in a positive way. Just calling their name, and expressing an interest in their life will mean a great deal to them. The apostle Paul urged, "Be kindly affectioned to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another" (Romans 12:10 NKJV).

4. Take the time to ponder the blessings you have received from the lord.

Make it a life priority to ponder the blessings received from the Lord. Think deeply about them, and do not rush this exercise. After doing this, you will feel as the Psalmist David, "What shall I render unto the Lord, for all of His benefits toward me?" (Psalm 116:12).

Since 1995 Tennesseean Bruce Ligon preaches in Plain Dealing, La. One week every year he teaches at the Jamaica School of Preaching in Kingston.