Encouragement for Today
 | October 2, 2026 How To Unwrap the Best Gift of All |
“Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4, AMP)
The last wedding gift my groom and I opened was a colorful handmade hammock for two. Instantly my eyes welled with grateful tears. The practical presents would help us manage life, but our final gift felt like an invitation to savor life.
That hammock stayed in its box until years later when we moved with four kids to a house on a hill with a tree-lined yard. My husband strung our wedding gift between a sturdy tree trunk and a faded wooden deck post.
For the rest of the summer, our kids discovered a world of wonder when they slowed their feet and climbed into those rainbow ropes. They studied clouds, concocted stories, and composed songs to the swoosh and sway of that kaleidoscope cradle.
But with bills to pay and tasks to tackle, my husband and I never used that beloved gift strung between the trees. Sadly, we were so busy managing life that we struggled to savor it.
Then one morning as I checked my daily Bible reading off my list, I heard my kids’ laughter spilling from the hammock. Their unbridled joy stirred a longing in my soul and exposed an uncomfortable truth: The drudgery that had quietly invaded my marriage had seeped into my relationship with Jesus too. Somewhere between my starry-eyed I dos and my never ending to-dos, my relationship with Jesus had dwindled from delight into duty.
Suddenly, I wanted to fight against the speed of life and forge a new way forward. So I began to create my own “hammock moments” in the midst of my daily grind.
Sometimes this looked like leaving dishes in the sink and opening my Bible instead or lingering with my prayer journal before bed. Other times it looked like taking a morning stroll instead of engaging in a mindless scroll.
My new rhythms rarely led me to those rainbow ropes, but they slowed me down to enjoy Jesus. And one “hammock moment” at a time, I rediscovered the winsome wonder of Christ’s kindness, the steadying peace of His presence, and the great gift of His grace.
In Philippians, Paul encourages believers who are growing weary and disheartened. His words don’t offer a fix for daily demands but a summons to daily delight: “Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).
Friends, what if instead of waiting for more margin, we simply took Paul’s advice and chose to savor Jesus in the midst of the lives we’re actually living? What if we slowed our feet and shifted our eyes?
I can almost hear the swoosh and sway of a hammock as I imagine each of us discovering a world of wonder tucked into the folds of our ordinary days — can you?
Dear Jesus, I want to delight in You as You delight in me. Open my eyes to ways I can seek You intentionally throughout this day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
You don't have to fear what you don't understand. Questions about spiritual warfare, angels, demons, heaven, and the unseen world can feel intimidating. But God's Word doesn't leave us guessing. Through our new First 5 study, Between Heaven and Here, you'll explore what Scripture really says about the unseen realities around us and discover how biblical truth brings confidence, clarity, and peace in the middle of life's battles. When you give today, we’ll send you a copy of Between Heaven and Here as a thank-you for your gift. Then, join us for this six-week study in the FREE First 5 app.
ENGAGE
To grab a free resource to help you delight in Jesus today, visit Alicia’s website.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him” (NIV).
Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart” (NASB).
What is one way you can “hang your hammock” and savor life with Jesus today? Share your thoughts in the comments.
© 2026 by Alicia Bruxvoort. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106