THE UPPER ROOM DEVOTIONAL 16TH DECEMBER 2025, TUESDAY MESSAGE
Simple Wonders
Kathy Espenshade (Pennsylvania, USA)
Today’s Reading
Genesis 1:25-31
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You who are the Lord’s holy ones, honor him, because those who honor him don’t lack a thing. – Psalm 34:9 (CEB)
Most mornings I walk our dog, Emma, along a country road near our home. Usually, we see some wildlife on our walks — deer, squirrels, and rabbits. These sightings have become so routine that Emma knows where the deer tend to be and anticipates them by tugging on her leash and whining with excitement. Sometimes we come across a herd of does and fawns, occasionally with a young buck. Without Emma alerting me, I’m not sure I would notice the deer camouflaged in the woods.
This makes me pause and ask myself, How many other blessings do I miss in the busyness of the day? Often I have a list of tasks to get through. I check the tasks off one by one, showing how productive I can be and measuring my worth by what I get done. I try to resist the need to be productive at all times and simply enjoy the gifts of God’s beautiful world when I see them. Stopping to savor the wonder of a herd of deer in the woods can be an act of worship.
God does not judge me by what I accomplish in a day. I can take the time to breathe in God’s presence and enjoy the beautiful creation around me as I worship and praise God, my Creator.
Thought for the Day
Today I will pause to notice God’s blessings around me.
Prayer Focus
Those who walk for exercise
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for your hidden treasures. Help us to take the time to search them out and praise you when we find them. Amen.
The Upper Room Devotional 16th December 2025 is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. Read More
