This morning, as I made my usual commute to work, I stopped briefly at the bank before heading on my way. I was carrying my backpack, which was a little fuller than usual, loaded with the various things I needed for the day.
As I stepped onto an escalator, I noticed something that immediately caught my attention.
The zipper on my backpack was open.
In a crowded morning rush, it is impossible to know exactly what happened. Perhaps it caught on something. Perhaps someone behind me opened it. Whatever the cause, I felt a moment of surprise as I quickly checked my belongings.
To my relief, everything was still there.
My wallet, as it happened, was tucked safely inside another bag within the backpack.
I continued on my way, grateful.
As I reflected on the experience throughout the morning, I realized that the incident itself was not particularly significant. Nothing was stolen. Nothing was lost. Yet it became one of those small moments that causes us to pause and take stock of the many blessings we often overlook.
An old hymn came to mind:
“Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings, see what God hath done.”
The older I become, the more I appreciate the wisdom of those simple words.
We often look for God in the extraordinary moments of life—the dramatic answers to prayer, the unexpected miracles, the major turning points. Yet much of God’s quiet providence is found in ordinary days.
A safe journey.
A roof over our heads.
Family members who return home safely.
Work that gives purpose.
Friends who encourage us.
The ability to pray.
The simple gift of another day.
Most of the time, these blessings pass unnoticed because they have become part of the background of our lives. We assume they will always be there.
Then a small incident—a misplaced item, an unexpected delay, an open zipper on a crowded escalator—reminds us just how much we have to be thankful for.
The world continues to be what it has always been. There is kindness and generosity. There is also selfishness and wrongdoing. Wisdom calls us to remain attentive and prudent.
Yet faith invites us to live not in fear, but in gratitude.
This morning, nothing dramatic happened.
And perhaps that was the blessing.
My belongings were safe. My journey continued. And for a brief moment, I was reminded once again of the many quiet graces woven throughout an ordinary day.
Sometimes the greatest blessings are not the things we receive.
They are the things we almost lost and didn’t.
Blessing 🙏❤️
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